Catena Zapata's Alejandro Vigil named new president of Wines of Argentina

Alejandro Vigil, winemaking director at Catena Zapata, has been named the new president of Wines of Argentina, whilst Mauricio Boullaude, chief executive at Bodega A16 and Barbarians Wine Group, steps into the role of vice president.

The trade body also renewed 16 positions on the board of directors who will be tasked with promoting the image of Argentine wines worldwide as a serious global wine exporter.

Vigil’s two-year stint as president will see him take charge until 2024. He said: “It’s an honour to have been chosen to lead this institution that I respect so much. It also makes me very happy to know that, as an organization, we have a clear horizon, a joint vision to continue positioning Argentine wine in the world, at a key moment for the wine industry. We will work together and in pursuit of this goal.”

Director of Bodegas Esmeralda, president of Puerto Ancona and co-owner of Bodega Aleanna – El Enemigo, Vigil originally trained as an agricultural engineer with master’s degrees in both winemaking and irrigation management.

In 2002, he began working at Bodega Catena Zapata as head of research and development, later joining the oenology team and starting at the National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA).

Mauricio Boullaude, professor of business strategy at the National University of Cuyo, holds an MBA in Business Administration and Management.

Boullaude added: “There was a high level of participation of wineries at the Assembly, which gives me great satisfaction since this shows the interest of the industry to work together. Now, we face the challenge of continuing to promote actions and initiatives to position the Vino Argentino brand around the world with greater strength.”