Montes Wines: Chile’s Pioneering Premium Winery — Complete Guide

The Founders’ Vision

• Montes was founded in 1988 by Aurelio Montes (chief winemaker), Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand.
• Their credo: produce only high-quality wines — a revolutionary philosophy at the time in Chile.
• Aurelio Montes is today recognized as one of Chile’s most influential winemakers.

Exceptional Vineyards

• The estate owns vineyards in Chile’s finest zones: Curicó Valley, Colchagua Valley, and the legendary Apalta Valley.
• Apalta, with its steep slopes and unique microclimate, is considered one of Chile’s greatest terroirs.
• Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc.

Iconic Wines

• Montes Alpha M: The estate’s icon, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.
• Montes Folly: A high-altitude Syrah from Apalta parcels.
• Purple Angel: One of the world’s greatest Carmenères, a true renaissance of this grape variety.
• Taita: The estate’s most exclusive wine, produced in tiny quantities.
• Montes Alpha: The flagship range that revolutionized Chilean wine quality in the 1990s.

Innovation and Sustainability

• Montes was one of the first Chilean wineries to introduce sustainable farming and responsible water management.
• Ranked among the “World’s Most Admired Wine Brands” by Drinks International in 2024.
• Montes wines are present in over 100 countries, making the estate one of Chile’s global wine ambassadors.