GOCV Salutes Trio: Spanish Wine’s UK Champions
The prestigious society, Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino (GOCV), warmly welcomed three individuals into their esteemed order last week.
These individuals were singled out for their notable efforts in popularizing Spanish wine within the United Kingdom. On the evening of June 29th, a gathering of 220 prominent figures from the wine industry convened at the distinguished Landmark London Hotel.
The occasion was to honor the dedication and impact of three individuals who have significantly enhanced the prestige of Spanish wines. Notable speakers at the event included Álvaro Nadal, the director of the Spanish Economic & Commercial Office, Elisa Carbonell, the Director General of ICEX (España Exportación e Inversiones), and Sarah Jane Evans MW, the chairperson of GOCV.
The newly inducted ‘caballeros‘ or knights were announced as follows: Jo Ahearne MW (an established winemaker, advisor, and purchaser), Ferran Centelles (a previous chief sommelier at El Bulli, now an author and investigator for the elBullifoundation, in conjunction with Jancis Robinson), and Jesús de Madrazo Mateo (a fifth-generation winemaker, former technical director at the influential Viñedos del Contino group, and the founder and winemaker of Jesus Madrazo Wines). Ahearne embarked on her career journey at Oddbins, and after earning a BSc in winemaking, she led numerous ventures throughout Spain.
She completed her MW in 2008 and currently serves as the buyer for Spain at Boutinot. After receiving training under the tutelage of Eloy and Juli Soler at the iconic El Bulli, now defunct, Centelles has evolved into a respected wine author and educator.
Picking up from his father, José Angel, who established Spain’s inaugural single-estate winery, de Madrazo Mateo has dedicated the past 24 years of his career to strengthening the relations between UK and Spanish wine industries. In 2019, he kick-started his own venture, Jesús Madrazo Wines, creating wines in Ribera del Duero and Rioja. Incepted in 1985 by Wines from Spain, GOCV now boasts nearly 100 caballeros in its ranks. Just last October, the order welcomed three additional members.
