Aurelio Montes,​​​​​​​​​​ a native of Santiago, Chile, travelled extensively and acquired Old World winemaking knowledge while exploring New World technology. Montes worked at the Viña Undurraga as chief oenologist for 12 years before moving to Viña San Pedro where he worked as technical manager and chief oenologist for four years. In 1988, Montes and three fellow Chileans, determined to produce top quality premium wines for the export market, founded Viña Montes. At the time, only 10 wineries in Chile exported their wines. Today, there are more than 100. Wine Spectator calls Viña Montes the “Best All-Around Winery of South America.” The magazine describes Montes himself as “cutting edge.” Others say he is a pioneer for his pursuit of premium quality winemaking in Chile and innovator in terroir exploration for his discovery of the Apalta Valley, which The Wall Street Journal considers Chile’s first grand cru vineyard site. He is convinced that great wine is really made in the vineyard. He believes different grape varieties thrive at different altitudes and firmly believes that Apalta is the best area in Chile to plant red vine varieties. In 2006, Viña Montes became the first Chilean winery to set up in California’s Napa Valley. These vineyards produce under the label Napa Angel and Star Angel. Montes has also expanded his operations into Argentina, where vineyards produce under the label, Kaiken.