Kaiken

For over two decades, Kaiken winery has been a leader in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo’s Vistalba region, but also with vineyards extending from Cafayate to Patagonia. Owned by Montes of Chile, Kaiken was established in 2001 although the historical building in which Kaiken is based actually dates back to 1920. A visit to the winery offers an insight into historic architecture but also the pioneering attitude of the Montes family, who have adapted the winery to their modern production and expanded their lines across multiple terroirs of Argentina.

Kaiken is not only a popular visit for its wine tasting and tours, but is also home to one of Mendoza’s best winery restaurants – the excellent Ramos Generales restaurant spearheaded by celebrated Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, and set in the middle of Kaiken’s vineyard.

About Kaiken winery

The Argentine adventure of Aurelio Montes in Chile, Kaiken is a popular winery in the heart of Luján de Cuyo’s wine route. Although there’s a strong focus on Malbec from different terroirs, the portfolio is diverse, ranging from fragrant Torrontés and peppery Cabernet Franc to sparkling Chardonnay and juicy Pinot Noir.

The wines are all made in the handsome historical winery which used to be one of the largest in the region. Enormous cement vats have been subdivided into much smaller vats and storage areas, and the beautiful cellar is set underground in the old tunnels. It is a fascinating visit due to the way that Kaiken has taken on this heritage building and re-purposed it for modern winemaking – while respecting the use of concrete for winemaking.

One of the most interesting aspects of the winery is the cellar room for Mai – the icon wine of Kaiken. Monastic Gregorian chants play on loop in this special space, which brings a calming atmosphere to the space and winemaking team.

The name Kaiken is an ode to the founder Aurelio Montes Sr, who made several trips across the Andes from Chile to Argentina until, in 2001, he decided to invest in Kaiken Wines. The name is a spin on Caiquén, a wild goose from Patagonia which flies across the Andes between Chile and Argentina. You’ll see the goose appear on many of Kaiken’s wine labels!

About the Kaiken vineyards

Kaiken works with both growers and also their own vineyards. Of their own vineyards, the viticulture team has 240 hectares of vineyards distributed in three vineyards in Mendoza:

Vistalba is the oldest vineyard that Kaiken has. The vineyard includes some incredible old vines… centenarian vines of Malbec (planted in 1910) and 70-year-old vines of Cabernet Sauvignon, both of which are used towards some of their key wines. The old vine Malbec, in particular, is the origin for their icon wine, Mai. The soils here are sandy loam, with pebbles at around one metre’s depth – ideal territory for complex red wines.

There are 73 hectares planted in their Agrelo vineyard, which is also in Lujan de Cuyo but with much younger vines. Here a deep, silty loam offers a good environment for a wide range of wines which typically go towards the Estate and some Ultra lines. The vines are just over 15 years old, and planted to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Ancellota, Cabernet Franc and Marselan.

Kaiken’s Los Chacayes vineyard in the Uco Valley is certainly one to keep your eye on, as some of the most exciting wines in the range are coming from here today. With 35 hectares planted, the vineyard spans part of the northern and central fan of this up-and-coming sub-region in Tunuyan. A terroir of large pebbles and high altitude with wide diurnal range, offers red wines of structure but also refreshing acidity. Here Kaiken produces Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Like Montes Chile, their own vineyard estates are all in conversion to becoming organic.

Kaikén also buys grapes from around 40 growers with vineyards in some key and emerging wine regions, including Gualtallary, El Canota, Paraje Altamira, Cafayate and Patagonia.

Kaiken wines

MAI

Mai is Kaiken’s top wine that comes from their 125-year-old Malbec vines in Vistalba. It is a rich, complex and ageworthy red wine which can cellar well for decades. The wine rests in the cellars playing monastic chants for two years before bottling.

OBERTURA

Obertura is one of my favourite wines from the Kaiken portfolio – a 100% Cabernet Franc from Los Chacayes in Uco Valley and shows delicious notes of black pepper and red fruit, as well as wild mountain herbs and flowers. It reflects its wild Los Chacayes terroir.

AVENTURA

The Aventura line is one of the most exciting and playful lines in the Kaiken portfolio. You’ll find single-vineyard Malbec from new vines in Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley – two in fact… one from the northern (Norte) part of the alluvial fan, and one from the more central (Sur) fan. It’s a great exercise for seeing how different soil can change the expression of a wine, while the winemaking (only in cement, and no oak) remains the same. The third in the trio is from the emerging region of Valle de Canota in northern Mendoza and is a juicy, floral and aromatic wine. These are all vibrant and lively red wines with a pure terroir-focus… Watch this space though, winemaker Juan Pablo suggests a white wine might make it into the line soon!

DISOBEDIENCE BY FRANCIS MALLMANN

Famed Argentine chef Francis Mallman not only has his restaurant at Kaikén, but makes a wine there too. Disobedience by Francis Mallmann is a really appealing red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot, which is – perhaps unsurprisingly – a very good food wine. It’s a favourite pour at Ramos Generales restaurant too!

ULTRA

One of Kaikén’s key lines which really helped put it on the map, the Ultra line has grown today to include a Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. The Ultra Pinot Noir is the first wine in Kaikén made with grapes coming from Patagonia and one of the highlights in my opinion, along with the bright yet structured oaked Chardonnay from Gualtallary.

INDÓMITO

Kaikén Indómito is one of the best value lines that includes an excellent Cabernet Franc from Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo, filled with red pepper notes, and a silky Malbec from Paraje Altamira in Uco Valley. Top value here for regional expressions and quality.

TERROIR SERIES

This is a great introduction line to the main varieties of Kaikén with a selection of wines coming from Mendoza as well as a Torrontés from Cafayate in Northern Argentina. 

ESTATE

Kaiken’s entry-level Estate line includes an unoaked Chardonnay, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, a Malbec rosé, a Malbec and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

SPARKLING

Kaiken’s traditional method sparkling wine is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and there is also a sparkling rose which is Pinot Noir dominant. Most of the production is sold to Japan, but you can enjoy a good taste of them in Kaiken’s restaurant overlooking the vines… perfect for a sundowner!

About the winemakers: Gustavo Hörmann & Juan Pablo Solis

With an important history at both Montes estates, in Chile and Argentina, Gustavo is a Chilean winemaker who first started working with Viña Montes in 2002.

In 2005 he became the Head winemaker at Viña Montes in Chile, before moving to Mendoza in 2016 to become responsible for Kaiken as General Manager.

Juan Pablo Solis is the Head Winemaker for Kaiken in Argentina today, working with Gustavo and also both Aurelio Jr and Sr. He has worked at Kaiken for over 7 years and heads up winemaking in Mendoza, as well as working on all the wines from across the country.

Visiting Kaiken winery

The winery itself offers a host of interesting tasting experiences, and their Ramos Generales restaurant run in collaboration with Francis Mallman is one of Mendoza’s hottest dinner tickets today.

Visits to the winery can include a wine range of tasting options and tours and the beautiful view of the mountains and vineyards is a highlight on the wine route in Vistalba. There are options for children too, such as designing your own wine label, so parents can enjoy their visit while the children are entertained. 

The wine shop at Kaiken is also one of the few spots in Mendoza where you can buy Chilean wine!

Video with Juan Pablo Solis in the musical cellar 

RAMOS GENERALES restaurant by Francis Mallmann

The restaurant Ramos Generales is one of the top restaurants in Mendoza. In collaboration with famed Argentine chef, Francis Mallmann, the cuisine focuses on fire grilling but also local and seasonal produce. Some of the signature dishes include a delicious grilled gnocchi and Mallmann’s famous mouthwatering steak.

Ramos Generales has a fixed menu with wine pairing or a la carte menu and is open from Wednesday through Sunday and on holidays, alternating between dinner service in the summertime and lunch service in the winter months.

You can email the restaurant at [email protected]

Tasting notes