2025 Honorary Chair

Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth generation Argentine vintner, physician and author. Catena was born in Mendoza and spent her childhood with her grandfather Domingo at the family’s winery in the small village of La Libertad. Laura graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1988 and has a Medical Doctor degree from Stanford University. In 1995 Laura joined her father Nicolás Catena Zapata at the family winery and founded the Catena Institute of Wine with the vision of making Argentine wines that could stand with the best of the world.

She is currently managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata and works closely with Alejandro Vigil and Luis Reginato to make the vineyard selections and blends for the family’s wines. Laura is also founder of her own Luca Winery in Mendoza, Argentina, as well as a practicing part-time physician of Emergency Medicine in San Francisco. Laura splits her time between Mendoza, Argentina and San Francisco, California.

Dr. Laura Catena has been called “the face of Argentine wine” for her active role in studying and promoting the Mendoza wine region and Argentine Malbec. Laura’s life obsession is to learn more about high altitude viticulture, the vineyard soil microbiome and wine ageability.

In 2010 Laura Catena released her book Vino Argentino: An Insider’s Guide to the Wines and Wine Country of Argentina (Chronicle Books.) Spanish and Portuguese translations followed in 2011. 

Laura and her book have been featured in Oprah Magazine, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, La Nación, Town and Country, Decanter Magazine, Saveur Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Wine Spectator, Vinous, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, Wine & Spirits and many others.