READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
Catena Zapata: examining plots within the same high-altitude vineyard
This is a family producer in Mendoza, Argentina, who has opened vineyards at the foot of the Andes. In the high-altitude Adrianna Vineyard, they produce single-plot Chardonnays called White Stones and White Bones.
We compare Adrianna's White Stones and White Bones 2020 wines. We read about the internal differences of the vineyard along with winemaking notes.
Questions for this course
If the altitude and grape variety are the same, can you compare just the soil?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Catena Zapata / Learn from producers
Argentina / Mendoza / Gualtallary
Synonym/Label: Catena / Catena / Bodega Catena Zapata
Update date: 2026-09-24
Into a vineyard at 1,450m altitude
Both wines are 2020 Chardonnay from plots within the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary. The stated elevation for both is 1,450m. By narrowing down from country to region, vineyard, and plot, you can compare characteristics within the shared trait of being high-altitude whites.
Plot names derived from stones and fossils
White Stones is a parcel whose surface is covered with rounded white pebbles, measuring 2.5ha. White Bones refers to soil containing calcareous fossils and covers 2.2ha. These are details for each plot, not a general description of the entire Adrianna vineyard’s area or soil.
White Stones used barrels
The 2020 White Stones is fermented in French oak and matured 12–16 months in second to fourth use barrels. Partial MLF and bâtonnage are also mentioned. Do not assume that 'no new barrels' means no wood barrels are used at all.
Make comparisons that do not attribute everything only to soil effects.
Materials on White Bones record fermentation in 225L French oak barrels and 500L roll fermenters. Even if the vineyard, vintage, and variety are the same, the fermentation vessel and lot conditions may differ. List explanations about the land and the winery processes together, and do not limit causes for tasting differences to a single factor.
What to align and what to compare.
Common conditions
- Conditions to standardize
- Adrianna 2020 Chardonnay
- Conditions for comparison.
- Different blocks within the same vineyard
- Additional points to confirm
- Also the same altitude of 1,450m.
Plot
- Conditions to standardize
- High-altitude vineyards
- Conditions for comparison.
- White gravel and calcareous fossils
- Additional points to confirm
- 2.5ha and 2.2ha are plot sizes
Winemaking
- Conditions to standardize
- White wines using French oak
- Conditions for comparison.
- Notes on containers and their history of use
- Additional points to confirm
- Do not treat it as an experiment testing only the effect of soil.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Reading Catena Zapata materials: examining plots within the same high-altitude vineyard
Verify the ingredients and processes in the materials and consider reasons for differences.
The numbers are based on documentation from the indicated year, or the product description at the time of confirmation. Descriptions without a vintage do not guarantee specifications for all vintages.
| Comparison items | White Stones 2020 | White Bones 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Grape variety and altitude | Chardonnay • 1,450m | Chardonnay • 1,450m |
| Parcel area | 2.5ha | 2.2ha |
| Explanation of the soil. | Riverbed with rounded white pebbles | Contains limestone fossils |
| Fermentation vessel description | French oak barrels | 225L barrels and 500L roll fermenters |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What does 1,450m tell us?
These are the elevations listed in the vineyard sections of both documents. Rather than extending to national features, use them as a shared point of comparison for these two, which highlights individual parcel differences.
What if barrels are being used for their 2nd to 4th time?
The number of uses refers to the barrel's usage history, and is separate from material or wine maturation months. The White Stones' period is separately indicated as 12–16 months.
Can you determine the effect of soil from tasting just these two bottles?
Even with the same vintage and variety, vineyard plots and vinification details will differ. Soil explanations provide clues but alone don't justify attributing taste differences to a single cause.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Compare the raw materials and processes in the documentation, and explain the choices made by the producer.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | White Stones 2020 | White Bones 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Grape variety and altitude | Chardonnay • 1,450m | Chardonnay • 1,450m |
| Parcel area | 2.5ha | 2.2ha |
| Explanation of the soil. | Riverbed with rounded white pebbles | Contains limestone fossils |
| Fermentation vessel description | French oak barrels | 225L barrels and 500L roll fermenters |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
List the shared vineyard, vintage, and grape variety, and taking into account the difference in plot area and winemaking, explain why the effect of soil alone cannot be definitively determined.
Check after writing
- Did you separate the boundaries of vineyard and plot?
- Did you read the number of times the barrel was used?
- Did you also compare winemaking conditions?
Save response to explanation task
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