Argentine wine legend Adriano Senetiner dies

Renowned vigneron and Argentine winemaker Adriano Senetiner died last week at the age of 88.

He leaves intact a legacy as one of the most influential figures in the wines of Mendoza. Adriano Senetiner was one of the key winemakers who fought for Argentina’s first Denomination of Origin, the Lujan de Cuyo DOC in 1989.

He was also responsible for the impressive growth of his family winery, Nieto Senetiner, during 31 years until it was incorporated to Molinos Río de la Plata in 1998. In 1997, he also founded Viniterra, now owned by Grupo Cepas.

“Adriano had the vision of a winemaker, and always supported quality, excellence and taking the challenge to find the latest technology in winemaking,” current Chief Winemaker of Nieto Senetiner, Roberto Gonzalez, paid tribute.

Senetiner is known for bringing the first mechanised bottling lines to Mendoza, and was also President of the Center of Mendoza’s Winemakers twice (from 1976 to 1983, and 1989 to 1992).

In 2020, Senetiner released his last wine — to celebrate his 85th birthday — named Adriano and made from Carmenère, a grape he introduced to Argentina from Chile in 2000.

Senetiner died on Thursday 24th November — a day which has been celebrated as Argentina’s National Wine Day since 2013, and also as Carmenère Day in Chile.

Amanda Barnes is the drinks business regular South America correspondent and author of The South America Wine Guide.