Kaiken
Aurelio Montes senior, wine producer and one of the founding partners of Viña Montes in Chile, visited Mendoza in Argentina in 2001. He was instantly won over and deeply impressed by the people, terroir, viticulture and oenology and excited by the opportunity to learn and contribute to a wine industry open to innovation. He saw the huge potential of the region and Argentine wines all over the world. After several more research tours, Kaiken was founded in 2002.
Like the wild Caiquen geese that fly over Patagonia, between Argentina and Chile, Montes decided to cross the Andes, which separate the two countries.
The origin of the name Kaiken comes from the word Caiquen. These are hardy birds, which usually inhabit the cold, dry valleys of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, where snow and ice prevail for most of the year. They migrate northward with the approach of extreme winter cold. They are very social birds, gathering in groups or large flocks, especially when flying over mountains.
Like Caiquen, Montes' team crossed the Andes with the intention of learning, experimenting and forming a team of experts, whose innovative spirit and dedication to excellence will produce superior wines.
