Douglas Murray, co-founder of Montes Winery, experienced two serious car accidents in the 1990s that left vehicles completely wrecked. The scenes of the accidents were so horrific that anyone would think the driver was seriously injured, but Murray miraculously survived both times with only minor abrasions. This dramatic experience became a pivotal turning point in his life and business. Murray passed away in 2010, but his association remains deeply ingrained in the memory of Aurelio Montes, the current representative and co-founder of Montes Winery, and in the spirit of the winery. Aurelio Montes recalls this in various interviews.
Following this anecdote, all Montes wines began to feature angel wings as a symbol. This emblem represents the founders’ belief and fortune in overcoming adversity and tackling new challenges, as well as the spirit of the winery.
Montes Winery was established in 1988 by four experts—Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand—who envisioned innovation in the Chilean wine industry. Each had expertise in wine making, marketing, finance, and technology. Initially, they started as a small boutique winery by purchasing grapes from a 30-hectare vineyard. From its first year, Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon achieved significant success, paving the way for growth. Montes has grown into a global winery, owning 300 hectares of vineyards and exporting wine to over 55 countries worldwide.
Montes' wine named 'Wings' is the first wine developed collaboratively by Aurelio Montes and his son. It signifies the two generations soaring toward the future in unison like the two wings of an angel. This dramatically reflects the spirit of collaboration, challenge, and the winery.
Montes Wings is blended with 85% Carmenere and 15% Cabernet Franc. While Montes Alpha M expresses the pinnacle of Cabernet Sauvignon and Montes Polly captures the essence of Syrah, Wings is regarded as the top expression of Carmenere. Montes maximizes the advantages of each variety through blending, and Wings also enhances its structure and acidity by complementing Carmenere with Cabernet Franc, maximizing balance and complexity.
The grapes used for Montes Wings are cultivated on the slopes of the Apalta region in the Colchagua Valley. This vineyard is situated on a steep southwestern slope, 200 meters above the valley floor. The soil is rich in granite but has a high clay content. It has excellent drainage, with some areas composed of alluvial soil washed down from the mountains. It maintains a relatively cool temperature even in summer. The vineyards are planted at a high density of 5,555 plants per hectare.
The grapes are hand-harvested into 10 kg containers at their peak aroma. They are then transported to the Apalta Winery, where they are dropped into fermentation tanks using gravity from the upper levels of the building. The grape clusters are hand-selected twice to ensure that only the best grapes are used. Following a cold maceration process at 10°C for 5 to 7 days, selected yeast is added for alcoholic fermentation at 26 to 29°C for 12 to 15 days. After fermentation, they are kept in contact with the skins for a period to maximize body and flavor, aging for 16 months in new French oak barrels (80%) and second- and third-use barrels (20%).
The color is a deep red with the characteristic purple of Carmenere. It offers complex aromas with intense scents of dark fruits such as blackberry and blueberry, spices like chili and pepper, and sweet notes from the French oak. On the palate, it has a smooth and rich body with a long and pleasant finish. It pairs well with red meats, rosemary and lamb chops, barbecued pork ribs, and various cheeses.
It received the highest score at the '2024 Global Carmenere Master' tasting event hosted by The Drinks Business, earning the title of 'Carmenere Master.' It won the award for the institutional sector of New World Red Wine at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. The official importer in Korea is NARA CELLAR.