IWSC announces its 2012 president

IWSC news

Fri 20 Jan 2012

MAURICIO González-Gordon, head of the Spanish wine and sherry producer González Byass, has been appointed the 36th president of the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
 
The chairman of the family-run company joins a prestigious group of IWSC presidents including Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Gino Gallo and Wolf Blass.
 
Jerez-based González Byass was founded in 1835 by González-Gordon’s great great grandfather Manuel María González, who dedicated his life to the sherry business; a business that has created iconic brands including Tío Pepe Fino and Lepanto Brandy.
 
González-Gordon is the third member of the Spanish wine business to receive the accolade; others being José Ignacio Domecq in 1989 and Miguel Torres a decade later.
 
González-Gordon said: “It is a great honour to be appointed President, not least because I am in such auspicious company but because the IWSC is the benchmark for quality on an international scale, a factor that is very close to my heart as at González Byass. We strive continuously to do exactly the same with our products and brands in the categories in which we operate.”
 
IWSC marketing manager David Kelly said: “We’re thrilled that Mauricio is our new president in what is shaping up to be the most successful year in our history. Mauricio has a great pedigree – he was raised in the drinks industry. From an early age he was close to his family business and is now part of the fifth generation of González’ who have been involved I running the company.”
 
González Gordon has been chairman of the Jerez-based company since 2006, spearheading the expansion of interests from sherry and brandy into wine.
 
González Byass was awarded the IWSC’s trophy for Winemaker of the Year in 2010. González-Gordon continued: “ I know how important these accolades are. Commercially, it really makes a difference to have that kind of endorsement behind your brands, precisely because buyers and press around the world understand and value the quality standards set by the IWSC.”

 

 
For more information, please contact:
 
David Kelly
IWSC Marketing Manager
Tel: +44 (0)1483 548 963
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