Spanish giants unite: Grupo Perelada buys Chivite

Spain’s Perelada Group, owners of Castillo Perelada in Empordà and Cims de Porrera in Priorat, has bought the Chivite Group for an undisclosed sum.

Javier Suqué of the Perelada Group and Julian Chivite celebrate their new alliance

In addition to the Chivite winery in Navarra, the Perelada Group will also acquire Bodegas Gran Feudo in Navarra and Viña Salceda in Rioja Alavesa, which belonged to the Chivite Group.

The sale is part of the Perelada Group’s strategic plan to increase its vineyard holdings in Spain.

Earlier this year the group expanded into Cava with the acquisition of organic Cava producer Alta Alella’s Privat, and also bought the Oliver Conti winery in Empordà.

The acquisitions mean the Perelada Group now has vineyard holdings in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Navarra, Rueda and Empordà, making it a strong player in the Spanish wine game.

“The Chivite family’s tradition of over three centuries crafting the distinctive quality wines that have brought it great international prestige fits perfectly with our vision of the wine business,” said Javier Suqué, chairman of the Perelada Group.

“We wish to learn and to incorporate the historic values of Chivite and are pleased that Julián Chivite, one of the most respected personalities in the wine world, will be working with us to this end.

“Julián will continue as president and will help steer this new business”, Suqué added.

Following the acquisition, the Perelada Group’s consolidated turnover will exceed €60 million and it will have a presence in nearly 100 markets around the world.

The group also owns Casa Gran del Siurana in Priorat and Fin de Siglo in Rioja and is currently building a new sustainable winery in Empordà with a capacity to handle 2.8 million kilos of grapes.

Painter Salvador Dalí, a local of Empordà and close friend of Castillo Perelada’s founder Miguel Mateu, was a fan of the estate’s Brut Rosé Cava.