Viña Montes

Viña Montes was established in 1988 by four founding partners including winemaker Aurelio Montes and businessman Douglas Murray, who were soon joined by Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand. Originally operating under the name Discover Wine, the group sought to produce Chilean wine at a quality level capable of competing on the international market. This partnership combined technical winemaking skill with expertise in management and distribution. The winery began with limited capital and infrastructure but achieved immediate commercial success with its first vintage releases from 1987. Today, the estate remains under the leadership of the founding families, with Aurelio Montes Jr. serving as the head of winemaking while his father continues to oversee the company as president.

The producer manages several estate vineyards across Chile, with its most significant holdings located in the Apalta and Marchigüe zones of the Colchagua Valley. The Apalta site is situated in a south facing horseshoe formation that provides a microclimate for slow grape maturation on steep granitic slopes reaching 45 degree inclines. Further west, the Marchigüe estate benefits from cooler breezes and shallow clay soils. In the winery, the team employs gravity flow technology and adheres to a philosophy of environmental balance. This approach includes a cellar designed according to Feng Shui principles where Gregorian chants are played for the aging barrels. The winery achieved B Corp certification in 2024, reflecting its focus on water conservation and long term sustainable viticultural practices.

Viña Montes is recognized for establishing the template for premium Chilean exports and was the first in the country to plant Syrah. Its portfolio includes several significant bottlings such as the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, which was the first premium wine of its kind exported from Chile. Other notable selections include Purple Angel, a high end Carménère, and Montes Folly, a Syrah sourced from the steepest hillsides of the Apalta estate. The producer also creates the Bordeaux style blend Montes Alpha M and the rare bottling known as Taita. These wines have consistently placed the winery among the top producers in global competitions and annual vineyard rankings.