El Enemigo was born in 2009 in Mendoza as a passion project and has since developed an almost cult-like following that is steady and growing. The minds behind the winery are Adrianna Catena, daughter of the legendary Nicolás Catena, and Alejandro Vigil, chief winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata and former head of the soil division at Argentina’s Wine Institute. The idea for El Enemigo took shape after a celebration honoring Nicolás Catena in London. While walking along the River Thames, Adrianna and Alejandro discussed their vision: to create a wine that honors tradition while challenging convention. The name El Enemigo—Spanish for “the enemy”—reflects their desire to confront the status quo. Inspired by a shared love for Bordeaux, their goal was to produce cool-climate, high-altitude Cabernet Franc. Alejandro Vigil was already well-known in Argentina for elevating Cabernet Franc, helping establish it as one of the country’s signature grapes, and he handles all technical aspects of the viticulture and winemaking. Adrianna Catena, who earned a PhD in history from the University of Oxford and has taught as a historian, contributes a strong intellectual and historical dimension, shaping the winery’s vision. Based primarily in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, the winery focuses only on high-altitude vineyards that bring freshness, structure, and complexity to the wines.