Christina Nikiticheva WIA Ambassador Russia Christina Nikiticheva is…
WOMEN WINE LEADERS
Masters of Wine
Almudena Alberca

Almudena Alberca
Masters of Wine
Almudena Alberca is the first woman in Spain to achieve the title of Master of Wine. After graduating in agriculture engineering, she continued her studies gaining a degree in oenology and a master in viticulture. Her first harvest was in New Zealand at Vidal Estate, part of the Villa Maria group. Since then she has travelled extensively through wine producing regions worldwide. She joined the Decanter World Wine Awards as a judge in 2019.
Almudena began her career producing boutique wines in Viñas de Cenit, in Zamora, Spain, where she went from assistant winemaker to managing the entire winery. She worked at Dominio de Atauta in Ribera del Duero where she played an integral role in shaping their wine styles and achieving international success. During this time, she was also the Spanish specialist for importer AvivaVino in New York, selecting and blending wines for this market.
Almudena has been the technical director at Viña Mayor since 2015, one of Spain’s large-volume players in Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro. She is also responsible for developing new brands and wines in regions like Rías Baixas and Valdeorras and is involved with PR, marketing and sales both in Spain and abroad.
Video
The Institute of Masters of Wine is the home of exceptional expertise in the wine world. What started 70 years ago as an exam for the UK wine trade is now a globally recognised title collectively held by a worldwide family of Masters of Wine. Today, there are over 416 MWs based in 31 countries, each making their own contribution to the world of wine. Becoming an MW means entering a unique wine community; one that brings enriching personal and professional opportunities, as well as lifelong friendships.
WIA WOMEN AMBASSADORS
Elena Palmerini WIA Ambassador Tuscany, Italy Born in…
Cornelia Becker (Corni) WIA Ambassador Austria Cornelia Becker…
Renée Sferrazza WIA Ambassador Canada Renée Sferrazza has…
Alexia Hupin WIA Ambassador France Alexia Hupin DipWSET…
Claudia Riva di Sanseverino WIA Ambassador Italy Claudia…
Elisa Nardi WIA Ambassador Italy Elisa Nardi is…
Carla Urrunaga WIA Ambassador Chile Carla Urrunaga, although…
Simona Geri WIA Ambassador Italy Simona Geri lives…
Bubbles Hyland WIA Ambassador South Africa Bubbles Hyland…
Daria Kholodilina WIA Ambassador Georgia Daria Kholodilina is…
WINERY STAR GUIDE EUROPE
Podernuovo Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice San Casciano…
Weinschloss Thaller Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Maierhofbergen,…
Marteaux Guillaume Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Bonneil,…
Tempos Vega Sicilia Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice…
Quinta da Aveleda Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice…
Ancarani Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Faenza, Italy…
Château Haut-Brion Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Pessac,…
Domaine Begude Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Cépie,…
ArPePe Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Sondrio, Italy…
Cantine Florio Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Marsala,…
La Spinetta Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Piedmont,…
Francisca Marzá WIA Ambassador Chile Francisca Marzá discovered her vocation for wine in 2014. Graduated in Business Administration of the Wine Industry and a post degree in Chilean Wine at the Catholic University of Chile and additional studies as a sommelier at the Wine Institute. Content creator, communicator, and…
Christina Nikiticheva WIA Ambassador Russia Christina Nikiticheva is a certified wine specialist. Wine has been her passion for a long time, and in 2017 she decided to make it a profession. She is a WSET level 3 advanced sommelier with merit. She attended the WineQ school and the Moscow Academy…
What’s a home-cooked meal without an equally palate-pleasing bottle of wine to pair with it—or vice versa? Some dishes just seem to taste even more delicious when they’re accompanied by the right…
WINERY STAR GUIDE LATIN AMERICA
Bodegas Lopez Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Mendoza,…
Bodega Casarena Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Luján…
Bodega Salentein Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Mendoza,…
Catena Zapata Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Mendoza,…
Viña Montes Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Santa…
Familia Schroeder Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Patagonia,…