Killka Killka Wines Bring Together Art & Nature in Perfect Harmony
Since its debut vintage in 1999, Bodegas Salentein has forged an enviable reputation worldwide for producing award-winning, premium-quality wines. The estate's winemaking team, led by the legendary José “Pepe” Galante (aka, the “Father of Argentine Malbec”), is one of the most revered in Argentina. Together, they strive to combine artistry, creativity, and passion to craft wines that capture the finest terroirs of the Uco Valley in the famed Mendoza region.
The estate’s Killka wines are produced using grapes cultivated on Salentein's high-altitude vineyards in the Andes. The name pays tribute to the Killka Gallery, the estate’s world-renowned and award-winning center for the arts and culture, which receives 20,000 visitors a year. Each bottle of Killka wine features a reprint of a famous original painting on display at the Killka Art Gallery.
Located just steps away from the gallery, Salentein’s Uco Valley winery is a uniquely cross-shaped structure. Like all the buildings on this near 5,000-acre private estate, the winery was constructed by regional craftsman, using local materials and incorporating indigenous architectural features. The two-level, gravity-flow winery both reduces energy usage and provides a gentler winemaking process, which results in wines of greater quality and finesse.
Talented artists in their own right, José and winemaker Carlos Bauza work closely together to craft expressive wines with viticultural depth and a precise balance of flavors. As a result, Killka wines stand out for their fruity character, good structure, and pristine varietal expression that reflect the natural essence of their desert homeland. They are, from the beautiful labels to the majestic wines inside, true works of art.
Killka Highlights
Killka wines are produced by Bodegas Salentein, which has earned worldwide recognition for its award-winning, quality wines.
The range takes its name from the Killka Gallery, the estate’s internationally renowned cultural center.
Each bottle features a reprint of a famous painting on display at the gallery.
Located in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, Bodegas Salentein is dedicated to preserving the region’s natural landscape and biodiversity.
José “Pepe” Galante (aka, the “Father of Argentine Malbec”) and Carlos Bauza craft wines with fruity character, good structure, and pristine varietal expression.
The Bodegas Salentein Experience
Located in the heart of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, Bodegas Salentein comprises over 2,000 hectares / nearly 5,000 acres, surrounded by the striking Andean scenery. It has two wineries, the Killka Gallery, a chapel, and a guest house for visitors. The mindful landscaping emphasizes the cultivation of native plants, grasses, and bushes that are symbolic to Mendoza, and over 50 hectares / 124 acres are dedicated to preserving the natural desert landscape and vegetation. A trip to the property is a rich experience, immersing the visitor in the nature, art, culture, food, and wine of the Uco Valley.
The Uco Valley’s Prime Viticulture
Despite its continental desert climate, the Uco Valley produces some of the finest wines from Mendoza. Dry conditions and year-round sun exposure mean the vines do not need to be treated with chemicals or pesticides for moisture-related diseases or insects. Most of the soils are sandy and alluvial, with a bed of pebbles, providing good permeability and drainage. This helps manage vine vigor and reduce yields for fewer, higher-quality grapes.
Killka wines hail from Bodegas Salentein’s El Oasis vineyard, which lies between 960 and 1,554 meters / 3,150 and 5,100 feet; a small portion of the fruit is also sourced from the La Pampa Vineyard (between 1,189 and 1,295 meters / 3,900 and 4,250 feet). These elevations provide a wide diurnal temperature range and long growing season, which allow for the steady development of sugar, acidity, and flavor in the grapes. Drip irrigation systems provide the vines with pure water from melting snowcaps in the Andes, which produces lower pH in the grapes, resulting in higher acidity, deeper color, and greater age-ability in the wines.
Always Eco-Friendly
The Killka team’s sustainability efforts begin in the vineyards, where they practice responsible water usage. Drip irrigation systems bring fresh Andean snowmelt to the vines, ensuring that every drop goes to good use. They have also implemented various soil conservation methods and grow indigenous cover crops to maintain the native ecosystem.
Their eco-friendly endeavors continue at Bodegas Salentein’s energy-efficient, gravity-fed winery, which was constructed by regional craftsman using locally sourced materials.
Preserving the Natural Character of Killka Wines
Chief winemaker José “Pepe” Galante has a simple, but effective, winemaking philosophy. “I try to fully preserve the full spectrum of fruit aromas and flavors through a smooth, gentle winemaking process and leading-edge technology,” he says.
Every step the team takes reinforces this goal. After carefully harvesting the fruit, the team destems the grapes in the vineyard then rushes them to the winery, so they retain as much freshness as possible. Cold maceration in stainless steel tanks preserves the grapes’ primary fruit flavors. During fermentation, José and winemaker Carlos Bauza ensure the juice experiences multiple pump-overs per day, which extracts color, tannin, and flavor from the wine. For the wines that are barrel aged, José and Carlos treat them to at least six months in their finest French and American oak barrels. As a result, Killka wines stand out for their fruity character, good structure, and pristine varietal expression.
A Dynamic Duo: José “Pepe” Galante & Carlos Bauza
Known as the “Father of Argentine Malbec,” José “Pepe” Galante is the legendary chief winemaker at the Bodegas Salentein winery. Born, raised, and educated in Mendoza, José learned winemaking from his father and grandfather. In 1980, he started working at the Catena Group, where he had the opportunity to travel to the U.S. to make wine with Paul Hobbs at Simi Winery, along with stints in France and Spain. He joined the Bodegas Salentein in 2010 and has helped lead Killka wines to new heights.
Carlos Bauza joined the Salentein winery team in 2006, holding various positions, such as Winery Supervisor, Second Line Winemaker for Still and Sparkling Wines, and Winemaker for Sparkling Wines. After 13 years, Carlos was appointed Senior Winemaker and Chef de Cave, becoming the guardian of the spirit and savoir-faire that distinguishes Salentein’s signature wine style.
