.png.transform/rendition-xs/image_image%20(1).png "Feder")
May 12 2025
Amaya Cervera
The Voice of Spanish Wine With a Global Reach
Amaya Cervera doesn’t just write about wine—she tells the stories of the people, landscapes, and traditions behind each bottle. As the founder of Spanish Wine Lover, she's become one of the most influential communicators in the Spanish wine scene, recently recognized with Spain’s National Gastronomy Award for Communication and inducted into the prestigious Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino.
Born in Gernika (Basque Country) in 1968, Amaya Cervera didn’t initially plan to enter the wine world. After studying journalism at the University of Navarra, a pivotal interview with wine critic José Peñín in 1996 changed everything. What started as a journalistic assignment turned into a full-blown passion for wine, which she pursued with dedication—from collaborating on wine encyclopedias to visiting vineyards and attending tastings.
That passion would eventually become her life's work.
"Wine is a complex and vast world that forces you to keep learning constantly—and never lets you get bored.” - Amaya Cervera to Va de Vi
The Birth of Spanish Wine Lover
In 2014, Amaya launched Spanish Wine Lover, a bilingual (Spanish and English) online platform dedicated to the world of Spanish wine. At a time when Spanish wines were gaining international attention, the site filled a much-needed gap—offering in-depth, accessible content about wine regions, grape varieties, producers, and the evolving culture of Spanish viticulture.
What set her apart was her ability to combine technical knowledge with storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or a curious beginner, her writing makes you want to pour a glass and learn more.
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2023, Amaya received the National Gastronomy Award for Gastronomic Communication—one of Spain’s highest honors in the culinary world. The award highlighted her role in making the often-complex world of wine feel personal, approachable, and deeply connected to Spanish culture.
That same year, she was also inducted into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino, an elite recognition given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to promoting Spanish wine in the UK and abroad. This honor placed her among a select group of leading figures who have championed Spanish wine on the international stage.
"Wine is a much more approachable product than the public tends to think. I believe in communication that’s engaging but not lacking in substance—and, of course, without falling into banality.” - Amaya Cervera to Bodeboca
Amaya also writes the “Historias de Vinos” column in El País Semanal, exploring topics like the revival of native grape varieties or the identity struggles of traditional wine regions. Her bylines also appear in top publications like Sobremesa, Decanter, and The World of Fine Wine.
Beyond the written word, she’s actively involved in panels and events. In 2023, she took part in a conversation hosted by the Vivanco Foundation focused on recovering the role of women in the wine industry—a subject she champions with passion.
With over 25 years of experience and a resume that blends journalism, education, and deep cultural insight, Amaya Cervera remains one of the most respected voices in the wine world. Through Spanish Wine Lover and her many collaborations, she continues to connect readers to the soul of Spanish wine—one story, one glass at a time.