Aurelio Montes is widely credited with pioneering Chile’s quality revolution. His ability to identify potential in previously unknown sites, has led to the creation of appellations which now produce some of Chile’s finest wines. The Colchagua Valley is a perfect example of this. Aurelio first came to the area in his 20s and became fascinated by the then-barren landscape of Apalta, where Montes are based today.
The Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, first produced in 1987, broke the mould for premium wines in Chile. It was a modern expression of a classic grape which illustrated that Chile could produce wines that stood shoulder to shoulder with competitors around the world. Since then, Alpha has gone from a single wine to being the core range of Montes’ portfolio. The grapes and sites are carefully selected each year to ensure varietal integrity and complexity. Viticulture is hands-on and individual rather than mechanical and industrial.
