i. Biography
Ernesto Catena founded Alma Negra in Vista Flores, Mendoza, Argentina, in 2000, and from that first cellar work onward, he set in motion the project that would come to define his name as a winemaker. By 2006, the line had been launched to be judged on perception rather than technical details, a gesture that feels entirely in keeping with wines that lean into intrigue, atmosphere, and the suggestion of something half-seen. His Bonarda wines, in particular, are associated with a mysterious, dark-souled red wine style that gives Alma Negra its distinctive emotional register.
Coming Up
Today, he is the founder of Bodega Alma Negra, since 2000, the owner of Bodegas Tahuan, since 2003, and the manager of Bodegas Escorihuela. Across those roles, his career reads less like a single linear path than a widening circle of influence, with each winery carrying its own part of his evolving vision.
Where They Are Now
Catena is founder at the winery, a role he has held from 2000 to present. That long continuity matters in a field where a house style can easily be diluted by time; here, the founding impulse remains visible in the present tense of the wines. At Ernesto Catena Vineyards in Vista Flores, his winemaking style is called the path of the artist, and the phrase captures the sense that the work is meant to be felt as much as analyzed. The winery is biodynamic/natural and seeks to transform winemaking into a true art, a pursuit that gives the estate an experimental, almost philosophical energy while remaining rooted in the landscape of Mendoza.
Signature
Ernesto's signature wines include Alma Negra Brut Nature Rosé NV, Gran Almanegra, Alma Negra M Blend, Alma Negra Tinto, and Jardín Enchante. Taken together, they sketch the breadth of the label’s identity: sparkling and still, structured and enigmatic, each one another facet of the same darkly expressive vocabulary. The names themselves suggest the balance Catena seems to favor, between precision and mystery, form and feeling.
In Their Words
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Ernesto
What is Ernesto Catena known for?
Alma Negra wines made from the Bonarda grape and expressed as a mysterious, dark-souled red wine style.
