Argentina's Catena Zapata named 'World's Best Vineyard' for 2023

The annual ‘World’s Best Vineyard’ winners have been announced, recognising the very best wine tourism experiences around the globe.

Catena Zapata of Mendoza, Argentina, topped the list, also winning the best overall South American vineyard. The award coincides with the opening of the vineyard's first restaurant, Angélica Cocina Maestra, located in Catena's renowned La Pirámide vineyard, founded in 1983.

Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena and known for its pioneering role in reinventing Malbec, Catena Zapata was one of four Argentine vineyards to make the top 20 – the other being Salentein (9th), El Enemigo Wines (10th), and Finca Victoria (13th).

The Healdsburg, CA, based Jordan Vineyard & Winery was the highest-ranking U.S. entry at number 20.

Glass half empty?

Though still the world's sixth-largest wine producer, Argentine output declined sharply during the 1990s as state subsidies to vineyards were curtailed amid a privatization push - and failed to recover even as exports rose from 1995 onwards.

Last year's output (1.15 billion liters) was only half the average levels in the 1970s and '80s, with consumption around 60% lower to 830 million liters.

Quality and variety have improved, however, with Argentina now growing over half the world's Malbec - a full-bodied red prized around the world.

But a 100-year drought - plus what exporters believe to be an overvalued peso (at the official rate) - have combined to slash exports so far this year by 31.7%.

At: https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/31662/Catena_Zapata_named__91World_92s_Best_Vineyard_92_2023.html

Publicity footage for Argentina's Catena Zapata, in the Andes foothills of vineyard-rich Mendoza Province.

Recognized as the World's Best Vineyard for 2023 by Britain's William Reed, the award was welcome news amid the worst drought in Argentina in a century.