DOCa Rioja has made historic strides by electing Raquel Pérez Cuevas as its first female president, coinciding with the centenary celebration of Spain’s oldest designation of origin. Pérez Cuevas expressed her pride in this milestone, emphasizing the growing presence of women in the wine industry.
As she embarks on her four-year term, Pérez Cuevas will represent more than 13,000 growers and nearly 600 wineries under the Rioja designation. Her leadership comes at a challenging time marked by overproduction and decreasing sales which have led to falling grape and bottle prices. Additionally, many in the industry are concerned about the future, as fewer young people engage in wine production.
Pérez Cuevas’s election follows her recent appointment as president of Grupo Rioja, a significant organization that represents large wineries, accounting for almost 90% of total sales in the appellation. Her previous role as vice-president since 2015 positions her well, though tensions exist with smaller wineries that feel the Regulatory Council has historically favored larger producers. The Bodegas Familiares de Rioja, representing roughly 200 smaller wineries, even relinquished its seats on the council, citing an economic focus that overlooks their interests.
In her inaugural speech, Pérez Cuevas emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation among all associations within the council. “It’s crucial to have unity, but not uniformity, and loyalty to the appellation that has shaped our identity so that Rioja maintains its esteemed position in the world of wine,” she said.
Originating from Quel in southeastern Rioja, Pérez Cuevas pursued agricultural engineering and oenology, complemented by an Executive MBA. Since 2010, she has been the CEO of her family’s winery, Bodegas Ontañón, expanding its reach into other key wine regions. Acknowledging the trust from her peers, she marked the beginning of what she sees as an exciting and pivotal time for Rioja.