Seña

Seña was born from conversations begun in 1991 when Eduardo Chadwick, whose family owns Viña Errázuriz and the broader Aconcagua portfolio, guided Robert Mondavi through Chile's top wine regions on a personal hosting tour. Mondavi, the California legend who had founded the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa in 1966 and partnered with Baron Philippe de Rothschild on the landmark Opus One venture in 1979, saw a clear parallel with that Bordeaux-Napa partnership and proposed creating a Chilean Bordeaux-style estate wine that could rival the world's First Growths. It took several years to identify the right site, eventually found on a hillside in the Ocoa area of Aconcagua Valley with eastern exposure, gravelly colluvial and volcanic soils, and significant Pacific marine cooling influence from the Humboldt Current approximately 40 kilometres to the west. The inaugural 1995 vintage was produced and commercially released in 1997, making Seña Chile's first wine conceived from the outset as a global icon. The name 'Seña' means 'sign' or 'distinguishing mark' in Spanish, intentionally signalling Chile's emergence as a serious fine-wine producer.

• Conversations began 1991 when Eduardo Chadwick guided Robert Mondavi through Chile's top wine regions; Mondavi had founded Robert Mondavi Winery 1966 and Opus One Napa joint venture with Baron Philippe de Rothschild 1979
• Partnership formalised 1995 as 50/50 joint venture; modelled on Mondavi's Opus One template; aim to produce Chilean Bordeaux-style estate wine rivalling First Growths
• Inaugural 1995 vintage commercially released 1997; first wine conceived from outset as a Chilean global icon and conceived from outset for premium pricing tier
• Name 'Seña' means 'sign' or 'distinguishing mark' in Spanish, intentionally signalling Chile's emergence as a serious fine-wine producer

The Seña vineyard occupies a 42-hectare hillside site in the Ocoa area of Aconcagua Valley, with eastern exposure providing shelter from the most intense Pacific winds while still benefiting from the maritime cooling of the Humboldt Current approximately 40 kilometres to the west. This position creates an extended ripening season with warm sunny days and cool nights, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve full phenolic maturity while retaining freshness and acidity. Soils are diverse across the hillside: gravelly, colluvial, and volcanic materials on the upper slopes provide drainage and mineral character, while different blocks suit the individual Bordeaux varieties in the blend. Vines were planted from 1999 onward, and estate fruit has been used exclusively since 2004 (replacing earlier vintages that drew from Errázuriz Aconcagua sources during the vineyard's development). Biodynamic principles have been in practice since 2005, encompassing cover crop management, on-site composting, and holistic soil nutrition, with the estate achieving certified biodynamic status. The Las Vertientes parcel at lower elevation contributes Mediterranean varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre) to the Rocas de Seña second wine. Production averages approximately 5,000 cases (approximately 120,000 bottles in strong vintages such as 2021).

• 42-hectare hillside estate in Ocoa, Aconcagua Valley, ~40 km from Pacific Ocean; eastern exposure shelters vines from cool Pacific winds while preserving Humboldt Current marine cooling
• Soils diverse across hillside: gravelly, colluvial, and volcanic materials on upper slopes provide drainage and mineral character; different blocks suit individual Bordeaux varieties in the blend
• Vines planted from 1999 onward; estate fruit used exclusively since 2004 (replacing earlier vintages that drew from Errázuriz Aconcagua sources during vineyard's development)
• Biodynamic principles in practice since 2005 with certified biodynamic status; ~5,000 cases produced annually (~120,000 bottles in strong vintages such as 2021); Las Vertientes parcel at lower elevation contributes Mediterranean varieties to Rocas de Seña second wine

Seña is consistently Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant in the blend, typically 50 to 60 percent across vintages, with Malbec, Carménère, Petit Verdot, and in some vintages Cabernet Franc completing the assemblage. Merlot was phased out of the blend as it consistently underperformed on the Ocoa estate site. Malbec contributes structural depth and dark fruit lift, with proportions increasing in cooler vintages where its mid-palate density complements lighter Cabernet Sauvignon expression. Carménère provides Chile's distinctive herbal-spiced character (savoury black pepper, dried herb, paprika), distinguishing Seña from a traditional Left Bank Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Franc adds aromatic lift and graphite minerality in vintages where it contributes. Blend proportions shift meaningfully each vintage to reflect seasonal conditions: the 2018 was 96-point average across major critics; the 2019 (25th vintage anniversary) was 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 21 percent Malbec, 14 percent Carménère, 5 percent Petit Verdot with 98 points James Suckling; the 2021 was 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 27 percent Malbec, 17 percent Carménère, 6 percent Petit Verdot with 100 points James Suckling; the 2023 was 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 percent Malbec, 15 percent Carménère, 6 percent Petit Verdot with 99 points Decanter and 99 points James Suckling. Alcohol typically 13.5 percent reflecting the estate philosophy of harvesting for phenolic rather than sugar ripeness.

• Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (typically 50-60%) with Malbec, Carménère, Petit Verdot, and occasional Cabernet Franc; Merlot phased out as underperformed on Ocoa estate
• Malbec contributes structural depth and dark fruit lift, increasing in cooler vintages; Carménère provides distinctive Chilean herbal-spiced character (savoury black pepper, dried herb, paprika)
• Blend proportions shift meaningfully each vintage: 2019 (60% CS, 21% Malbec, 14% Carménère, 5% PV, 98 pts JS); 2021 (50% CS, 27% Malbec, 17% Carménère, 6% PV, 100 pts JS); 2023 (60% CS, 19% Malbec, 15% Carménère, 6% PV, 99 pts Decanter)
• Alcohol typically 13.5 percent reflecting estate philosophy of harvesting for phenolic rather than sugar ripeness; structural elegance prioritised over opulence

Seña's winemaking prioritises terroir expression and structural elegance. Grapes are fermented primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks (approximately 90 percent of volume), with approximately 10 percent fermented in concrete vessels that preserve aromatic purity and add textural complexity. Each vineyard parcel is fermented separately to allow precise lot-by-lot selection. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 to 22 months in French oak: approximately 70 percent in new barrels (typically a mix of 225-litre Bordeaux barriques) and approximately 10 percent of the volume in large foudres (2,500-litre casks), which add textural complexity without aggressive oak flavour. The foudre proportion has increased over the modern era as winemakers Francisco Baettig (2003-2021) and now Emily Faulconer have progressively pursued aromatic transparency over oak-driven richness. Malolactic fermentation typically occurs in barrel. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered or with minimal intervention, preserving the terroir signature through to release. Bottling typically takes place approximately 22 months post-harvest, with additional bottle aging before commercial release.

• Fermentation primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks (~90% of volume) plus ~10% in concrete vessels that preserve aromatic purity and add textural complexity; parcel-by-parcel fermentation
• Aged 18-22 months in French oak: ~70% in new 225-litre Bordeaux barriques and ~10% in large 2,500-litre foudres adding textural complexity without aggressive oak flavour
• Foudre proportion increased over modern era as winemakers Francisco Baettig (2003-2021) and Emily Faulconer pursued aromatic transparency over oak-driven richness
• Malolactic fermentation typically in barrel; bottled with minimal filtration preserving terroir signature through to release; bottling ~22 months post-harvest plus additional bottle aging before commercial release

Before Seña and the broader Chadwick portfolio, Chilean wine was largely dismissed internationally as a source of reliable value rather than world-class quality. The defining moment came on 23 January 2004, when Eduardo Chadwick organised a blind tasting at the Ritz-Carlton Berlin, modelled on the 1976 Judgment of Paris and managed by the late wine critic Steven Spurrier (the Judgment of Paris architect who organised the 1976 Napa-versus-Bordeaux tasting that established Napa Valley's premium identity). Thirty-six respected European critics evaluated 16 wines: Seña 2001 placed second and Viñedo Chadwick 2000 placed first, beating Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, Sassicaia, Tignanello, Solaia, and Guado al Tasso. The format was subsequently repeated in over 17 countries through 2014, reaching more than 1,400 wine professionals, with Chilean wines placing in the top three in 20 of 22 events. The Berlin Tasting fundamentally repositioned Chile within the global fine-wine conversation and accelerated recognition of the Chadwick premium portfolio (Seña, Viñedo Chadwick, and Errázuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve). The 20th anniversary of the Berlin Tasting was celebrated in February 2024 at the Regent Hotel in Berlin, with multiple verticals of Seña showcasing the wine's proven aging potential across two decades. Seña is sold via La Place de Bordeaux, placing Chile's icon wine in the same négociant distribution system as the Bordeaux First Growths.

• Berlin Tasting 23 January 2004 (Ritz-Carlton Berlin, organised by Eduardo Chadwick, managed by Steven Spurrier with 36 European critics): Seña 2001 placed 2nd, Viñedo Chadwick 2000 placed 1st, defeating First Growth Bordeaux and top Super Tuscans
• Berlin Tasting repeated in 17+ countries through 2014 reaching 1,400+ wine professionals; Chilean wines placed in top three in 20 of 22 events
• Seña sold via La Place de Bordeaux, placing Chile's icon wine in same négociant distribution system as Bordeaux First Growths
• 20th anniversary Berlin Tasting celebrated February 2024 at Regent Hotel Berlin with multiple verticals of Seña showcasing two decades of proven aging potential

When Constellation Brands acquired the Robert Mondavi Corporation in 2004, Chadwick moved swiftly to purchase Mondavi's share of Seña, and the wine has been 100 percent Chadwick-family-owned since 2005. The Chadwick sole ownership coincided with the biodynamic conversion of the estate vineyard (2005) and the broader development of the Viñedos Familia Chadwick portfolio. Seña sits at the centre of the family wine business alongside Viña Errázuriz (the historic 1870 Aconcagua estate producing Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve and the Aconcagua Costa Las Pizarras schist single-vineyard) and Viñedo Chadwick (the 15-hectare Puente Alto single-vineyard from the Alfonso Chadwick polo field at Maipo Alto). Together these three wines were the subjects of the 2004 Berlin Tasting and its global sequel events. Francisco Baettig made Seña from the 2003 vintage until his final harvest in 2021, progressively shifting the style toward greater elegance and freshness across nearly two decades; current technical director Emily Faulconer continues this philosophy. The second wine Rocas de Seña, first released with the 2020 vintage, is a Malbec-led blend incorporating Mediterranean varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre) sourced from both Seña vineyard parcels and the lower-altitude Las Vertientes blocks, offering earlier accessibility at a lower price point and distributed via La Place de Bordeaux.

• Constellation Brands acquired Robert Mondavi Corporation 2004; Eduardo Chadwick purchased Mondavi's share of Seña; 100% Chadwick-family-owned since 2005 with biodynamic conversion same year
• Centre of Viñedos Familia Chadwick portfolio alongside Viña Errázuriz (1870 Aconcagua estate, Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve flagship, Las Pizarras Aconcagua Costa single-vineyard) and Viñedo Chadwick (15-ha Puente Alto single-vineyard from Alfonso Chadwick polo field)
• Three Chadwick wines together subjects of 2004 Berlin Tasting and global sequel events; Francisco Baettig made Seña 2003-2021 progressively shifting style toward elegance and freshness; Emily Faulconer current technical director
• Rocas de Seña second wine (first vintage 2020): Malbec-led blend with Mediterranean varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre) from Seña parcels and lower-altitude Las Vertientes blocks; distributed via La Place de Bordeaux