The legendary Montes Alpha Estate, a symbol of Chilean winemaking, has a long history that demonstrates creativity, excellence, and a strong dedication to viticultural excellence. Winemaking visionaries Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray founded Montes Alpha in 1988, and it gained international recognition very fast, raising the bar for Chilean wines.
With a distinct goal in mind, Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Pedro Grand, and Alfredo Vidaurre formed Montes with the intention of producing wines of the highest calibre that would improve Chile’s standing in the global wine market. With his wealth of winemaking knowledge, Aurelio Montes brought with him a passion for quality and creativity that became the cornerstone of the estate’s philosophy.
The Montes Alpha Birth
The estate debuted its first premium wine label, Montes Alpha, with its Cabernet Sauvignon immediately proving popular. This wine was revolutionary; it demonstrated that Chile could make wines as good as or better than those from well-known wine locations across the globe. The introduction of Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah under the Montes Alpha label was made possible by the popularity of the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon.
Creative Winemaking and Viticulture
Montes Alpha Estate adopted cutting-edge viticulture and winemaking techniques from the beginning. The estate’s vines are located in the Colchagua Valley, Apalta, and Curicó Valley, three of Chile’s most well-known wine areas. These areas provide the perfect environment for cultivating different kinds of grapes because of their unique climate and soil.
To maintain the health and quality of the vines, Aurelio Montes pioneered the use of precision viticulture and sustainable farming methods. Modern technology and conventional methods are blended in the winery to create wines that are well-balanced and expressive.
An Outstanding Heritage
Montes Alpha Estate has established itself as a pioneer in the Chilean wine business by winning multiple medals and recognitions throughout the years. From their entry-level wines to their legendary labels like Montes Alpha M, a Bordeaux-style blend that highlights the estate’s winemaking prowess, every bottle demonstrates the estate’s dedication to excellence.
Additionally, Montes Alpha has led the way in environmentally friendly wine production. The estate has adopted sustainable methods, such as solar energy utilisation, integrated pest management, and dry farming. By encouraging the health of the vineyards, these programmes not only preserve the environment but also improve wine quality.
https://www.monteswines.com/en/tour
Find Montes Alpha on Google Maps
Montes S.A.
Apalta Winery
Parcela 15 – Millahue de Apalta
Santa Cruz – CHILE
Phone: (56) 72 281 7815 Extension 110
Mobile: (56) 94 181 0969
Montes Alpha Estate Carmenère: An Esteemed Chilean Winery
The Carmenère wine from Montes Alpha Estate is a remarkable representation of Chilean viticulture, and the 2021 vintage carries on the heritage of quality. The Colchagua Valley’s distinct terroir is ideal for Carmenère, which is sometimes referred to as Chile’s hallmark grape. The 2021 vintage is a prime example of the depth, richness, and elegance that this varietal can produce.
Terroir in Winery Operations
The grapes used to make Montes Alpha Carmenère 2021 come from vineyards located in Apalta and Marchigüe in the highly regarded Colchagua Valley. These regions are well known for having the perfect growth environment, which consists of well-draining, mineral-rich soils and a Mediterranean climate with warm days and chilly nights. The vineyards benefit by precision viticulture and organic farming techniques, which guarantee that the grapes reach the ideal level of ripeness and convey the unique qualities of their terroir.
Procedure for Making Wine
The 2021 harvest yielded grapes of remarkable quality due to the favourable weather conditions. Montes Alpha uses a combination of modernity and tradition in their winemaking process. To guarantee that only the best fruit was used, the grapes were hand-harvested at their prime and carefully chosen. French oak barrels were used to age the wine for approximately a year, during which time the fermentation was carefully regulated to retain the bright fruit flavours. Through the ageing process, the wine gains depth and complexity, fusing subtle wood flavours with the fruit.
The wines

The glass of Montes Alpha Carmenère 2021 has a rich, vivid ruby colour. It has a rich perfume of plums, blueberries, and blackberries on the nose, along with hints of dark chocolate, black pepper, and green pepper. These scents are typical of Carmenère and demonstrate the complexity and multilayeredness of wines made from this grape.
The wine has a well-balanced acidity, smooth and velvety tannins, and a robust body and structure on the palate. A balanced and refined character is produced by the subtle notes of tobacco, chocolate, and spice that complement the luscious fruit flavours. There is a lingering aftertaste of black fruit and spice that is lengthy and persistent.