The second edition of “Strengthening the Wine Value Chain: Deep Transformations in the Wine Industry” has concluded with great success, bringing together more than 200 companies and industries from the wine sector at the Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio de La Rioja on May 30.
The event was inaugurated by Elena Ceca, President of the Association of the Wine Auxiliary Industry and CEO of Tonelería Murúa, alongside Íñigo Torres, General Director of Grupo Rioja, and Belinda León, Minister of Economy, Innovation, Business, and Self-Employment of the Government of La Rioja.
Ceca emphasized during the inauguration the importance of creating spaces for discussion and collaboration among all companies working for and with wine. These sessions take on special significance given the current transformation of the sector. Only through innovation and strategic efforts can the industry emerge stronger.
This change is driven by several factors, including shifts in consumer preferences, major technological advancements, climate change, packaging innovations, and impactful government regulations and policies.
The event was hosted by Sheila Argáiz, Secretary General of the Association and Agro-Food Associations of the FER.
A Step Forward
This second edition of “Strengthening the Wine Value Chain” has represented a significant step forward compared to last year’s event, both in participation numbers and in the depth of the topics discussed.
On May 30, the forum brought together wineries, industries, experts, and professionals from the wine value chain to discuss the latest trends in the wine world, promote knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation, and support adaptation to the evolving demands of consumers worldwide.
A Comprehensive Program
Following the inauguration, the event featured a keynote lecture by Pedro Ballesteros, Master of Wine, who spoke on “Transformations in the Global Wine Sector and Consumption Trends.” Ballesteros emphasized that “it is very positive for wineries to listen to what the auxiliary sector can contribute and understand their needs.”
Next, María Laura Ortiz Chiavetta gave a presentation on “Wine Commercialization Worldwide.”
Finally, Francesc Font from The Regen Academy discussed “Soil for Vineyards: 10 Years of Applying Regenerative Agriculture – Experience and Results.”
The program featured two roundtable discussions. The first focused on innovations in the wine auxiliary industry related to the challenge of sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of wineries, with the participation of Miguel de Valenzuela, commercial delegate of Bondalti Water AEMA, Rodrigo Bermejo, general manager of Gon-Cruz, David Blanco, executive of Inoxidables Alimentarias, Sergio Mamolar, technical director of Intranox, Roberto Riaño, commercial director of the Wine Division of Marzola, and Alfonso Álvarez, partner of QE2 Ingeniería. This panel was moderated by Carlos García, founder and technical director of CGB Consultores.
The second roundtable addressed innovations proposed by this industrial sector to support wineries in traceability and the challenge of digitalization, with contributions from José Sáenz de Santamaría Pombo, general director of Rivercap, Elena Ceca, Ana Otero, director of Dolmar Tentamus, Diego Pascual, corporate director of Innovation at Ramondín, Javier Gurría, from JIG, and Carlos Tarragona, CEO of SpectralGeo. This session was moderated by Diego Castillo, managing partner of Etilisa.
The II Forum concluded with a tasting of international wines from Valdemar, Kenwood, and Torres, led by Master of Wine, Pedro Ballesteros. Additionally, pre-scheduled bilateral meetings and visits to companies within the Association of the Wine Auxiliary Industry were conducted.
This event was organized by the Association of the Wine Auxiliary Industry, with sponsorship from the Government of La Rioja through ADER and the support of CaixaBank.
The Association of the Wine Auxiliary Industry, integrated into the FER, was founded with the goal of becoming a benchmark business entity with its own identity and promoting a Rioja quality seal that ensures the competitiveness of its companies.
The business organization comprises 29 associated companies, employing 1,170 workers and generating a business volume of approximately 215 million euros.
The Association aims to represent all sectors in the wine auxiliary industry’s value chain, including capsule manufacturers, cooperage, tanks, machinery and equipment, packaging and labeling, applied chemical industries, software and digitalization, water management, and environmental services applied to wine. It is committed to defending the interests of its members, representing and promoting its companies, with the goal of achieving excellence in the sector.
