Laura Catena is a fourth generation Argentine vintner, physician and wine writer.Born in Mendoza, Argentina, Catena obtained a B.S. degree (MagnaCum Laude) from Harvard University and a Medical Doctor degree from Stanford. She is currently Managing Director of Bodega Catena Zapata and of her own Luca Winery. During the past 25 years, she has been a practicing part-time physician of Emergency Medicine in San Francisco. In addition, she is the founder of the Catena Institute of Wine, which is dedicated to preserving Malbec and to elevating Argentine Wine. Throughout her career, Catena has received numerous distinctions, including the 2022 Woman of the Year Award, presented by The Drinks Business magazine.

In March 2023, she was named “Old Vine Hero”by “The Old Vine Conference”and received the Meininger “Outstanding Achievement Award”. On July 12th, Catena Zapata was voted number one in the world at the World’s Best Vineyards 2023 award ceremony for over 125 VIPs held in La Rioja, Spain. Under her managment, the family's Adrianna Vineyard was awarded eight100-point scores from some of the world’s most influential wine critics. Recently, Bodega Catena Zapata received Argentina’s 2017 “Extraordinary Winery Award”from Robert Parker Wine Advocate and Michelin Guide NY. Laura is on the theExecutive Leadership Board of the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology and is also a board member of the Fulbright Commission in Argentina and WSET Honorary President 2023. She is author of “Vino Argentino”, “Gold in the Vineyards”and of her newest book,“Malbec Mon Amour”, co-written with winemaker Alejandro Vigil. During the past 25 years, she has been a practicing part-time physician of Emergency Medicine in San Francisco. In addition, she is the founder of the Catena Institute of Wine, which is dedicated to preserving Malbec and to elevating Argentine Wine.

Laura is a panelist for The Legacy Generational Library Tasting - Know Your Winemaker Seminar on Friday, March 1, from 9:30am - 11:30am.