Wine Academy of Spain denies claims against Campo and Miller

The Wine Academy of Spain (TWAS) has issued a statement categorically denying accusations against Pancho Campo MW and Jay Miller.

It has been alleged that Spanish wineries were being charged up to €40,000 by Campo for a visit from Miller.

“The Wine Academy of Spain never requested from any wineries monies for the visits of Jay Miller or for tasting their wines,” read the statement, signed by Campo (left), president and founder of the academy.

“All the expenses for Jay Miller to travel to Spanish wine regions to taste and review wines were covered by The Wine Advocate, including his transportation, accommodation, meals and any other related expenses,” the statement continued.

According to Campo, the only occasion when fees had been charged were for “the organisation, setup and management of events that included seminars, conferences, masterclasses and guided tastings, which were open to the public,” but that “None of these fees were ever paid to The Wine Advocate.”

Campo asserts that it was made clear to all Wine Academy of Spain staff that wineries could not pay fees for Jay Miller to taste their wines on behalf of The Wine Advocate, and that Miller was not allowed to accept hospitality at restaurants, souvenirs or gifts.

Earlier this year, TWAS organised a wine show in Jumilla with the Association of Wine from the Region of Murcia (Asevin) featuring a masterclass by Miller. Before contracts were signed, Asevin sent out an email trying to raise the money from the wineries, contrary to the stipulations in the proposed agreement.

According to Campo, “At that point, TWAS put the event on hold until the wineries were informed that they could not be asked for any kind of payment for possible visits and for submitting samples.”

Campo is preparing to take legal action “in order to obtain the necessary measures against persons and publications having published information potentially damaging the reputation and the honour of [TWAS] company and management.”

As reported by db last week, Miller has resigned from The Wine Advocate to return to wine consulting, lecturing and wine retail.

Miller denied his stepping down had anything to do with the Spain debacle. “Some may believe my stepping down is in response to my critics, nothing could be further from the truth.

“I have never accepted (or request) fees for visiting wine regions or wineries,” he said.

Due to an impending investigation by the Institute of Masters of Wine, the drinks business is no longer displaying or accepting comments on this article.