GRAN ORDEN DE CABALLEROS DEL VINO INVESTITURE DINNER 2026

Three new Caballeros were formally welcomed to the organisation at the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino Investiture Dinner on 4th June at the Landmark London Hotel. One of the highlights of the UK calendar for Spanish wine, the Caballeros announced at this year’s are Amelia Aragón, a wine trade professional and advocate for Spanish wine, representing the family estate Cillar de Silos in the UK market; Rafael Palacios, winemaker and pioneer of high-quality white wines in Valdeorras in Galicia; and Josep Roca, co-owner and head sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca.

Created by Wines from Spain in 1984, the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino shines a light on those members of the wine trade leading the way in the UK market and has become part of the fabric of the Spanish wine scene in the UK. The organisation plays a key role in how Spanish wines continue to find favour with British drinkers, providing a curated selection of broadcasters, educators, importers, journalists retailers, restaurateurs, winemakers and winery owners, whose contributions have been pivotal.

The 2026 Investiture Dinner, attended by 200 guests from across the UK wine trade, took place in the presence of the Spanish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, H.E. Emma Aparici Vázquez de Parga, alongside Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade, Ms Amparo López Senovilla and the Chairman of the Gran Orden, Mrs Sarah Jane Evans MW.

Speaking at the event, the Spanish Ambassador welcomed the new Caballeros and highlighted the importance of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino in strengthening the visibility and reputation of Spanish wine in the UK market.

Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade, underlined the strategic importance of the UK market for Spanish wine, describing it as “one of the world’s most sophisticated, competitive and influential wine markets”.  She went on to note that Spanish wine has continued to strengthen its position in the UK in recent years, consolidating its role as the country’s third-largest supplier by value and showing one of the strongest performances among major producing countries since 2019. 

Guests enjoyed a bespoke Spanish menu developed by Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino member Owen Morgan, paired perfectly with the wines selected for the occasion by Gran Orden members. The menu was the perfect accompaniment to the Spanish wines and highlighted the excellence and versatility of Spain’s foods and wines.

The three new Caballeros de la Gran Orden del Vino are:

Amelia Aragón

Amelia's story is rooted in rural life, as she was born in the small village of Quintana del Pidio (Burgos), near Aranda de Duero, surrounded by old vines. After initially studying Business and Economics, the pull of the vineyard proved difficult to resist, leading her to complete a Master’s in Viticulture and Oenology before moving to the UK. There, she first joined Oddbins, where her resilience, warmth and unmistakable energy quickly set her apart.

Amelia has built an international career grounded in deep technical knowledge and a clear understanding of the human side of wine: relationships, storytelling and shared experiences. Today, based in London, she is a familiar and respected figure in the UK trade, championing Spanish wine with generosity, passion and conviction.

Rafael Palacios

Born into the Palacios dynasty in Rioja, Rafael grew up surrounded by wine. Early on, however, the curiosity of the family’s youngest son took him beyond Spain, first to Bordeaux and then to Australia, where his lasting fascination with white winemaking began.

That fascination returned with him to Spain, where he developed Palacios Remondo’s first white wine, Placet, a fine wine which showed the potential of white Rioja. Before long, his desire to find his own path led him to the old vines of a remote corner of Galicia, where he set up his eponymous winery in Valdeorras. Over the past 22 years he has been instrumental in redefining the potential of Spain’s Godello grape variety, producing wines of outstanding precision and character, and earning international acclaim.

Josep Roca

Josep's family was intimately connected with wine, selling it in their bar-restaurant in Girona.  Spending time between the cellar and the tables, Josep soon showed an innate understanding of how wine, food and people come together.

He studied alongside his brother Joan at The Girona Catering School, before the duo founded El Celler de Can Roca in 1986. Together with their younger brother, Jordi, the siblings have built one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, which was awarded its third Michelin star in 2009.  In charge of the "liquid" side of the restaurant, Josep has shared this passion internationally, travelling with a team of more than 40 people over three years to promote Spain’s gastronomy and wines while embracing different cultures. Through his skills as a communicator he has elevated the art of service and inspired generations with his passion for wine.

Josep was unable to attend the investiture dinner in person but shared his gratitude through a video acceptance message.

For more information about the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino or this year’s Investiture Dinner, please contact the UK office of Foods & Wines from Spain: spainfoodwineuk@comercio.mineco.es