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090: Old Vines and Argentina's Ungrafted Massale Selection with Dr. Laura Catena

Vineyard Underground

Release Date: 02/03/2026

090: Old Vines and Argentina's Ungrafted Massale Selection with Dr. Laura Catena show art 090: Old Vines and Argentina's Ungrafted Massale Selection with Dr. Laura Catena

Vineyard Underground

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More Episodes

Some of the world’s most valuable vineyard lessons are rooted in vines that predate modern viticulture. In this conversation, we are joined by Dr. Laura Catena to explore Argentina’s remarkable legacy of old, ungrafted vines and what they reveal about vine genetics, site expression, and long-term resilience.

Drawing on her experience, Dr. Catena explains why phylloxera never devastated many Argentine vineyards and how this unique history allowed ancient vine material to survive. The discussion dives into massale selection from old vines, highlighting why genetic diversity matters — especially as vineyard owners contend with climate stress, disease pressure, and the limits of clonal uniformity.

We also examine the role of Argentina’s high-altitude growing regions and how elevation influences vine physiology, flavor development, and vineyard health. These extreme sites have become a living laboratory for research, helping match plant material to specific conditions and improving long-term vineyard performance.

Dr. Catena shares information from the Catena Institute of Wine’s ongoing research and how data-driven approaches can elevate both vineyard decisions and wine quality. For growers managing heritage blocks or considering massale selection in new plantings, this episode offers a compelling blend of history, science, and practical guidance — showing how preserving the past can be a powerful strategy for building the vineyards of the future.

In this episode, you will hear:

  • Why Argentina has some of the world’s oldest ungrafted vineyards

  • The role of massale selection in preserving genetic diversity

  • How old vines contribute to resilience and site expression

  • The impact of altitude and climate on vine health and quality

  • Applying research-driven insights to modern vineyard management

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Resources:

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Have a vineyard question? Go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Laura Catena is a Harvard University graduate with a Medical Doctor degree from Stanford University. She is a fourth-generation Argentine vintner at the award-winning Bodega Catena Zapata, a passionate vineyard researcher, a practicing part-time emergency medicine physician, and an author. And, in 1995, she founded the Catena Institute of Wine with the vision of making Argentine wines that could stand with the best wines in the world.

Bodega Catena Zapata:

Catena Institute of Wine:

Dr Laura Catena:

Episode Sponsor:

Today’s episode was brought to you by Sunridge Nurseries and Bahco.

Thank you to Sunridge Nurseries for sponsoring today’s episode. Sunridge Nurseries is the exclusive nursery sponsor of the Vineyard Underground podcast. They have been a family-owned company for over 45 years, and their dedicated focus on quality and consistency has grown them into the largest supplier of grapevines in both North and South America and the industry leader in nursery standards. Visit them today at SunridgeNurseries.com and mention the code Underground to receive a podcast listener discount on your vine order.

Thank you to Bahco Tools for sponsoring today’s episode. As innovators for more than 165 years, Bahco has introduced the most advanced tools in the world, and Bahco products are manufactured in factories across Europe. I exclusively prune with the Bahco ERGO™ Bypass Secateurs with Elastomer Coated Fixed Handle (size medium). Visit www.bahco.com/int_en  to find a dealer near you to get the best pruning tools on the market, along with loppers, hedging tools, cutting blades, files, and more.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.