This recognition highlights Kaiken’s tenacity, effort and dedication, while reaffirming the winery’s commitment to quality, excellence and innovation in winemaking
New York, NY July 10th – Kaiken, one of Argentina’s most reputable wineries, was recognized as the “New World Producer of the Year” by the Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) competition. This important award was granted in recognition of the wines’ outstanding quality, balance, expression of terroir, and price to quality ratio. The judges consider the overall performance of the winery across multiple entries in the competition.
The Sommelier Wine Awards, judged exclusively by sommeliers and on-trade wine buyers, is a prestigious annual competition that recognizes wines, producers and importers that excel within the on-trade. It is the only competition aimed solely at the on-trade. Judged through blind tastings by a top panel of leading sommeliers, wine buyers and industry experts, the competition rewards the best wines available to restaurants, bars and hotels in the UK and beyond. The competition covers a range of categories, and the New World Producer of the Year is one of the top honors. This award considers the entire portfolio of a winery and its impact on the wine industry.
Kaiken was one of the great protagonists in the “Malbec from the New World” category this year, earning three medals, including a Gold for its complex, attractive and delicious MAI 2021. Aside from single-varietal Malbecs, there was praise for Kaiken’s Disobedience Red Blend by Francis Mallmann, the Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay 2022 and Aventura Los Chacayes Norte Malbec 2022, which all received Silver medals.
“This distinction holds immense significance, as our wines were assessed and recognized
by those serving them in the on-trade,” says General Manager and Chief Winemaker
Gustavo Hörmann. “Being named New World Producer 2024 is undoubtedly a great honor
and a recognition that distinguishes us globally”.
“Mai”, meaning “first” in Pehuenche, a local Indigenous language, is also the name of their first icon wine. This Malbec from a centenary vineyard, embodies all the attributes of a great icon. It has an extraordinary concentration of fruit, a great body and complexity with rounded, velvety, soft tannins and a very smooth and elegant finish.
With vineyards in the most reputable regions of Argentina, from Salta to Patagonia, Kaiken wines faithfully express the terroir they come from, and are widely recognized for their quality. Kaiken’s philosophy has always produced premium wines with a particular concern for the environment. They promote a sustainable culture at every stage of the winemaking process, ensuring that their footprint on the earth contributes to conservation and permanent care. Each sustainability certification earned reflects this commitment.
“We have a long way ahead of us, but we’re guided by the premise to raise the bar even higher in terms of winemaking and terroir quality while keeping in mind our challenge to reach new consumers and relying on our key pillars: excellence in winemaking, respect for nature, and strong relationships with our community,” says Hörmann.
About Kaiken
In 2000, Aurelio Montes, winemaker and founding partner of Viña Montes in Chile, visited
Mendoza and was captivated by its people, culture, terroir, viticulture, and the opportunity
to learn and contribute his experience, foreseeing the great potential of the area and
Argentine vineyards.
After several exploratory trips, Bodega Kaiken was established in 2002. Like the caiquen
(wild geese) that fly over Patagonia between Argentina and Chile, Montes decided to cross
the Andes Mountains with a firm purpose: to produce great wines by combining the
exceptional conditions of the Mendoza region with the work and talent of Argentine
professionals.
Bodega Kaiken is located at Vistalba and is equipped with advanced technology. All of its
products are made from grapes grown in vineyards situated in the best wine-producing
areas of Mendoza (such as Vistalba, Agrelo, and Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley), Salta
(Cafayate), and Añelo (Neuquén).
Their wines are known for their fresh and modern style, making them very drinkable while maintaining complexity and balance. Kaiken’s diverse range of wines offers a wine for
every palate and occasion. The nine tiers—Kaiken Mai, Luxury, Obertura, Aventura,
Disobedience, Nude, Ultra, Indómito, and Kaiken Estate—along with their sparkling wines,
Kaiken Extra Brut and Brut Rosé, reflect their commitment to quality and diversity.
Kaiken wines are present in almost 70 countries worldwide, breaking down geographical
barriers and captivating consumers drawn to attention to detail and captivating stories.
