Sena (Spanish for distinguishing mark or personal signature) is the result of the of winemaking families from both North and South America. These families are headed by Eduardo Chadwick, of Vina Errazuriz, and Robert Mondavi. It is reported that Mondavi had been interested in producing a premium label in Chile since he first visited in 1985, when he realised the potential for wine production that existed there. It wasn't until meeting Eduardo Chadwick, however, six years later, that the idea began to evolve into something more tangible. The two announced their joint venture for the production of Sena, in which they are equal partners, in 1995. Sena is produced at the Don Maximiano Estate in the Aconcagua Valley, which has long been a source of premium grapes for Vina Errazuriz. The Aconcagua Valley was chosen as the source for all of Sena's fruit because of it's ideal viticultural climate, with wet winters but a long, dry growing season. The summer days are frequently sunny and intensely hot, helping to ensure ripened fruit. In addition, the narrow Aconcagua valley experiences influxes of cool air from both the Pacific Ocean and the snow-capped Andes Mountains. These cooling influences help to maintain good acidity in the grapes, which fosters an attractive balance in the final wines. The production of Sena is under the guidance of three individuals. Led by Tim Mondavi are winemakers Edward Flaherty (representing Vina Errazuriz) and Tony Coltrin (representing Mondavi Wines). Together these three produced the inaugural vintage of Sena in 1995. It is a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere, this latter grape being widespread in Chile, having once been mistaken for Merlot. The label for the wine includes an antique document depicting the partnership between the Chadwick and Mondavi families with the signatures of both partners and a Spanish phrase, Sena is the alliance of two families that captures the spirit of Chile, the land, and our passion for excellence.

Brothers Jacques and François Lurton come from one of the oldest and most distinguished wine-producing families in France. They worked with their father, André Lurton, owner of Châteaux Bonnet, La Louvière and Dauzac, for five years before striking on their own as consultants when they realised that their father was not interested in making anything but top Bordeaux wines. Jacques and Francois Lurton seek to acquire vineyards in all the countries where they do business. “If I were a vine, I’d ask to be planted in Chile” is how Jacques Lurton explains the Bordelais brothers’ decision to make wine in Chile in 1992. Having worked as a consultant in 1993 to create one of Chile’s biggest brands, Viña San Pedro, Jacques Lurton is now turning his attention to wines at the other end of the scale and producing small quantities of premium and super premium wines. The Araucano range (the word derives from the name of the indigenous people of Chile) was created in 1997. They chose to set up in the Colchagua Valley. Having bought an ideally situated domaine on the slopes of the valley, next to the picturesque village of Lolol, they built a winery with a view to the poduction of great wines.