Catena Appoints Winebow as Exclusive U.S. Importer PDF Version
New York, May 18, 2009 — Leonardo LoCascio, President, CEO and founder of Winebow, Inc., and Nicolas Catena, founder of Bodega Catena Zapata, announced today the signing of an agreement appointing Winebow as the exclusive U.S. importer for Bodega Catena Zapata’s wines. The agreement is effective immediately.
Winebow is America's leading importer of fine Italian wines and a major importer and distributor of wines from around the world. In addition, the company owns significant distribution operations in key Northeast markets. Nicolas Catena is the visionary largely responsible for pushing Argentina to the forefront of modern winemaking. Catena was chosen by Decanter Magazine as Man of the Year for 2009, and credited with changing the direction of Argentina’s wine industry. His distinctive wines stand with the best in the world.
“This agreement significantly advances our goal to be the leading super-premium import wine supplier in the United States,” said Mr. LoCascio. “The Catena brand is among the most well-respected worldwide, and we are very excited to expand our long relationship with the Catena family. We very much look forward to working with their team to further the success of their brands in the U.S.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Winebow to further the success and relationships we have built over many years,” said Laura Catena, Vice President of Bodega Catena Zapata. “This is an excellent opportunity to consolidate the strengths of our established distribution partners with the expanded resources of Winebow.”
The Catena wines have been transitioned into a dedicated Winebow Division, which will market Catena and complementary brands to be determined. Winebow will continue to support all current Catena distributors nationwide.
About Bodega Catena Zapata
The Catena family’s history in Argentine wine dates back to 1902, when Nicola Catena, an immigrant from the Italian Marche region, planted his first Malbec vineyard on the shores of Mendoza’s Tunuyan River. In the early eighties, Nicolas Catena dared to dream that his native Mendoza—at the time, a large producer of oxidized wines—could someday be the source of wines that could stand with the best of the world. Nicolas Catena pioneered high altitude viticulture in Mendoza, and was the first to plant a
Malbec vineyard at almost 5,000 feet elevation. He has been called Argentina’s Malbec pioneer and the man who discovered and defined the benefits of high altitude viticulture in Argentina. Laura Catena, Nicolas’ daughter, talks about the family philosophy, “Mendoza’s wine country, located in the foothills of the majestic Andes Mountains, has a privileged terroir—very cold nights, intense sunlight and a signature varietal, Malbec—that can make profound and delicious wines.
At Catena Zapata we dedicate a great deal of attention to our vineyards and go as far as selecting plant by plant for our top cuvees. We are always trying to improve to achieve the truest and best possible expression from every vineyard and every plant, keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is to make wines that we like to drink and that give pleasure to consumers around the world.“
Bodega Catena Zapata (www.catenawines.com) is located in Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. The wines—Nicolas Catena Zapata, Catena Zapata Adrianna Malbec, Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec, Catena Alta and Catena Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Chardonnay—are sourced from five historic estate vineyards: Angelica, La Piramide, Nicasia, Domingo and Adrianna. Bodega Catena Zapata is the only winery from South America selected by Robert Parker Jr. as one of the great wine estates of the world in his book “The World’s Greatest Wine Estates.”
About Winebow, Inc.
Winebow, Inc. (www.winebow.com) founded in 1980 by Leonardo LoCascio, is a major importer and distributor of premium wines and spirits from around the world. Winebow is a leading importer of premium Italian wines under the Leonardo LoCascio Selections label, the de facto seal of approval for Italian wine enthusiasts. Under the Winebow Brands International (WBI) division, Winebow has a growing import portfolio with 20 producers from Spain; quality wines from Argentina, Chile and Portugal; Bruichladdich whisky from Islay, Scotland; Pitú Cachaça from Brazil; and Japanese Sake from Akita and Niigata. The Winebow portfolio also includes Click Wine Group, a Seattle-based company that owns and imports wine from around the world based on signature varietals from world-class appellations with easy to pronounce names and appealing, consumer friendly packaging.
Winebow is headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey with additional distribution offices in New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; Boston, Massachusetts; and Wallingford, Connecticut.