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Catena Institute of Wine

Catena Institute of Wine vineyards at the foot of the snow-capped Andes
The Catena Institute of Wine

Since 1995, The Catena Institute of Wine has undertaken major research projects in winemaking and high-altitude viticulture and collaborated with academics in France (University of Bordeaux, University of Burgundy), California (UC Davis) and locally (CONICET, FCA, IBAM).

Areas of research include: high altitude sunlight intensity, soil microbiome, massale selections, preservation of vine genetic diversity, ungrafted vines, old vines, Argentine Malbec, high altitude Chardonnay, Criolla vinification, no and low alcohol wines, climate change, low sulfite vinification techniques, and identifying Grand Cru level sites in new Andean viticultural areas.

With 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications to date, the Catena Institute is driving innovation in the vineyards through science and helping elevate the wines of our region.

  • Dante McDermott Catena, Commercial & NoLo Consumer Experience Lead - 5th generation vintner

    Dante McDermott Catena

    Commercial & NoLo Consumer Experience Lead - 5th generation vintner

  • Agustín Silva, EdeM Winemaker

    Agustín Silva

    EdeM Winemaker

Dante McDermott Catena, Commercial & NoLo Consumer Experience Lead - 5th generation vintner

Dante McDermott Catena

Commercial & NoLo Consumer Experience Lead - 5th generation vintner

@dantecatenawines

Dante McDermott Catena oversees strategy and consumer experience at Domaine EdeM (Elena de Mendoza), the Catena Institute of Wine’s NOLO (no- and low-alcohol) wine beverage project. Starting from age 13, Dante spent summers at the Catena Institute of Wine completing everyday tasks in the winery and constantly learning from winemakers Fernando Buscema and Roy Urvieta. He represents the 5th generation of the Catena family working in wine. Bodega Catena Zapata was founded in 1902 and was awarded the world’s most admired wine brand in 2025 and 2026 by Drinks International.

Dante graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 2024, where he studied philosophy, politics, and economics. He received his WSET Level 3 certification in March 2025 and returned to the Catena Institute to work on Domaine EdeM. Dante is particularly fascinated by the interest among young consumers away from traditional alcoholic beverages toward non-alcoholic beverages. Dante has been dubbed the “Zebra Striping Director” for believing that mixing no-, mid-, and regular alcoholic wines on a same occasion can work — because, as he puts it, “wine is about so much more than alcohol; it’s about culture, bringing people together, the flavors, and the ritual.”
Agustín Silva, EdeM Winemaker

Agustín Silva

EdeM Winemaker

@agustinsilva____

Agustín Silva was born in Mendoza, Argentina, with the conviction that his life would be dedicated to wine. His journey began at the Liceo Agrícola y Enológico and continued with a degree in enology from Universidad Juan Agustín Maza. With over seven years of experience, he has dedicated his career to crafting wines, vermouths, and distillates, always driven by the pursuit of innovation.

In 2023, Agustín joined the Catena Institute of Wine, where he poured his knowledge and creativity into developing a new generation of low-alcohol and alcohol-free wines, bringing to life N.0 Rosae and N.0 Fructibus dealcoholized wines; N.0,3 Blonde and N.0,4 Brunette non-alcohol sparkling wines infused with botanicals; and the N.7 Uco Mineral and N.7 Uco Stones low-alcohol sparkling wines.