A decanter.com promotion
Like the Caiquenes geese that fly across Patagonia between Chile and Argentina, Aurelio Montes of Viña Montes in Chile crossed the Andes to make great, sustainably-produced wines on the other side of the Andes.
A decanter.com promotion
Aurelio Montes Sr., founding partner and winemaker of Viña Montes in Chile, visited Mendoza and was allured by Argentina’s people, culture, terroir, viticulture and winemaking, and by the opportunity to learn from and contribute to an industry open to innovation. He could see the tremendous potential of Argentine wines around the world.
In 2002, Aurelio set up operations in Mendoza, harnessing the exceptional conditions of the region with the skills and experience of professionals from both Argentina and Chile, to craft sustainable wines that showcase the best of both sides of the Andes. Since 2011, Kaiken´s 15-hectare estate at Vistalba (planted with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay) has been managed biodynamically, and the winery and offices laid out according to the principles of Feng Shui.
Kaiken winemakers are constantly searching for new and different terroirs to produce distinctive and innovative wines. Today, vineyards are located in the Vistalba, Agrelo and Vistaflores areas of the Uco Valley in Mendoza. White varieties are sourced from Cafayate in the Salta region.
Mai is Kaiken´s icon wine. In the language of the indigenous Pehuenche people, Mai means ‘first’. We carefully hand-select grapes from 80-year-old vines to make a unique and elegant wine that is a wonderful expression of Argentine Malbec.
Kaiken Brut, is our sparkling wine. Made with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, using the traditional method, it remains in bottle for two years to obtain a sparkling wine beautifully poised between richness and delicacy.
Ultra Malbec and Ultra Cabernet are wines that express the desire of the Kaiken and Montes teams to pool their experience and knowledge to make high-quality wines from Argentina’s and Chile’s emblematic varieties. We grow Malbec at our estate in the Uco Valley, and Ultra Cabernet comes from 100-year-old vines at our finca in Vistalba. They are joined by the Ultra Chardonnay.
The Kaiken Terroir Series comprises individual wines that demonstrate Argentina’s viticultural heritage through attractive and innovative blends from the best terroirs. These complex wines combine the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec with varieties that have tremendous personality, such as Bonarda and Petit Verdot. This range includes an attractive Torrontés from the Cafayate Valley.
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon Reservas are faithful expressions of these varieties and the Mendoza Valley terroir. They are elegant, sensuous wines with ample fruit, a wide range of aromas, and just the right amount of influence from six months’ ageing in French oak. This line also includes a fresh Rosé made from Argentina’s emblematic variety, Malbec.
