GRAN ORDEN DE CABALLEROS DEL VINO INVESTITURE DINNER 2024

After a challenging season for Spain’s winemakers, industry professionals from across the UK gathered for the annual Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino Investiture Dinner on June 13th. To celebrate the future of the country’s produce and inaugurate three new members to the historic organisation, more than 250 people, including wine merchants, producers and journalists, gathered at The Landmark London Hotel.

Established to recognise individuals who make the biggest contribution to the UK’s Spanish wine industry, the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino invests new members every year at this highly anticipated event. The dinner is also an opportunity for the most influential people in UK-based Spanish food and wine to reconnect and discuss current issues and future opportunities.

This was also the focus of the keynote speech by Pablo Conde, Director General of ICEX and Acting Chancellor of the Gran Orden. He highlighted how the continuous changes to post-Brexit trading arrangements and extreme weather are affecting industry growth. He also emphasised the importance of organisations such as the Gran Orden to overcome these challenges and harness the industry’s potential.

Alongside the investiture, the evening saw guests enjoy dishes by Executive Chef Gary Klaner, alongside a specially curated and sourced selection of wines and water.

The three new Caballeros were announced at the event as: Almudena Alberca MW, an independent oenologist and consultant who develops new wines and brands across Spain; Amaya Cervera, the owner and editor of Spanish Wine Lover, a bilingual website that educates people about the country’s wines; and Hal Wilson, owner of UK-based business Cambridge Wine Merchants.

Almudena Alberca MW

The only woman to have achieved the Master of Wine title in Spain, Almudena Alberca started her career producing boutique wines in Viñas del Cenit, Zamora, Spain. With two degrees in agricultural engineering and oenology and a Master’s in viticulture, she went on to work in various winemaking roles. This included being Technical Director at Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos. With a passion for sustainability and quality, she now works as an Independent Oenologist and Consultant. She also has a brand ambassador for wine investment firm Oeno.

Amaya Cervera

Born in Gernika in the Basque Country, Amaya Cervera grew up with a strong understanding of quality gastronomy and wine. A University of Navarra graduate, she built her journalism career writing and editing for a variety of specialist magazines, including the Peñín Guide, Sibaritas and La Revista Todovino. In 2014, she established Spanish Wine Lover, a bilingual website which educates people about the nation’s wine. It has since won the Best Online Platform at the IWC Spanish Wine Merchant Awards four times. As the website’s Founder and Editor, Amaya received the National Gastronomy Award for Gastronomic Communication in 2023, the highest distinction awarded in Spain in the field.  

Hal Wilson

Hal Wilson started his business Cambridge Wine Merchants with a friend in 1993 at the age of 25. Although it was opened in the recession, Hal built a local brand through his passion for finding the best wines and delivering excellent service. Particularly fond of Spain’s fortified wines, educating people is important to Hal and a key part of his business. The owner is also an outspoken lobbyist for issues that concern UK-based SME wine businesses, including barriers to trade.

The three new Caballeros join one of the most influential and respected organisations in the Spanish wine industry. Alongside other members, they are the next generation of professionals passionate about carving new ground in Spanish wines in the UK.

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 or visit https://gocv.uk/