Virtual Vineyard Wine Tasting - Luca, hosted by Owner, Dr. Laura Catena

April 9th, 2021

6:00pm

Live on Zoom Video Conference

 $140+ per household

(OPTION: $120+ per household without the charcuterie & cheese board)

We'll go ahead and say it before you do, "Wow!!".  A mother of three, an ER doctor, an author, and the vintner of one of Argentina's finest wineries.  It's our honor to have Dr. Laura Catena host this edition of the Virtual Vineyard.  You're in for a treat.

Luca was born out of Dr. Laura Catena's vision of creating a new breed of Argentine wines: small quantities, artisan quality, and true to their individual terroirs. She is a pioneer in Mendoza for working closely with small growers to grow very high-quality grapes from some of Argentina's best old-vine, low-yield, high elevation vineyards. Each varietal delivers power along with complexity and finesse. They are the ultimate expression of rigorous vineyard management, viticultural experimentation, strict irrigation controls, skilled winemaking, and a quest for quality at any cost.

Luca is named after Laura Catena's first son and it symbolizes her love for her family. The family crest that appears on the label belongs to her husband Dan McDermott's family.

Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth generation Argentine vintner, physician and author. Catena was born in Mendoza and spent her childhood with her grandfather Domingo at the family's winery in the small village of La Libertad. Laura graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1988 and has a Medical Doctor degree from Stanford University. In 1995 Laura joined her father Nicolás Catena Zapata at the family winery and founded the Catena Institute of Wine with the vision of making Argentine wines that could stand with the best of the world.

She is currently managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata and works closely with Alejandro Vigil and Luis Reginato to make the vineyard selections and blends for the family's wines. Laura is also founder of her own Luca Winery in Mendoza, Argentina, as well as a practicing part-time physician of Emergency Medicine in San Francisco. Laura splits her time between Mendoza, Argentina and San Francisco, California.

Dr. Laura Catena has been called "the face of Argentine wine" for her active role in studying and promoting the Mendoza wine region and Argentine Malbec. Laura's life obsession is to learn more about high altitude viticulture, the vineyard soil microbiome and wine ageability.

In 2010 Laura Catena released her book Vino Argentino: An Insider's Guide to the Wines and Wine Country of Argentina (Chronicle Books.) Spanish and Portuguese translations followed in 2011.

Laura and her book have been featured in Oprah Magazine, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The San Francisco Chronicle, La Nación, Town and Country, Decanter Magazine, Saveur Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Wine Spectator, Vinous, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, Wine & Spirits and many others.

Join us Friday, April 9th, as Dr. Catena guides us through Luca's Virtual Vineyard and enjoy five of Luca's incredible wines, hand picked by Dr. Catena herself.  A full bottle of each will come with your order, and will be paired with a wonderful charcuterie & cheese board creation by Bentwater's Certified Master Chef, Olivier Andreini.

THE FEATURED WINES

2018 Luca, "G Lot" Chardonnay, Tupungato, Mendoza – 93pts

2018 Luca, "G Lot" Pinot Noir, Tupungato, Mendoza – 94pts

2015 Luca, Laborde Double Select Syrah, La Consulta, Mendoza – 92pts

2017 Luca, Paraje Altamira Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza – 93pts

2018 Luca, Old Vine Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza (#4 on Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines for 2020) – 94pts

 REGISTRATION

1.   Reserve your spot at the link shown below

2. Upon confirmation we will send you a Zoom Conferencing link by email with the Zoom Meeting ID#, along with easy to follow instructions.

3. Your wine order and charcuterie & cheese board will be ready for pick-up on April 9th between 12:00pm - 5:00 pm.  Tell us when you're on the way, by calling 936-597-2508, and we'll bring it to you curbside at the Clubhouse.  We do recommend that you open your bottles of wine 30 minutes before the event begins.

4.  At 6:00 pm, grab your phone, tablet, computer or laptop and join us live for a fun evening at the Virtual Vineyard!

If you need to cancel your order, please note that a 72-hour notice of cancellation (by calling 936-597-2508 or by email to [email protected]) is required prior to April 9th at 5:00pm, or 50% of the price of the event, plus tax, will be charged to your member account.