Who we are
Spanish Wine Lover (SWL) is a bilingual English-Spanish website specialised in spreading the word about Spanish wine.
Since its launch in 2014, it has showcased the extraordinary diversity of Spanish wines during one of the most dynamic periods in their history, thanks to the recovery of local grape varieties, the revival of long- overlooked regions and a new generation of producers committed to their terroir.
In its first decade, SWL has published more than 650 articles and reviewed over 500 producers from all over the country.
Our mission is to provide insightful information, highlight emerging trends and explore the qualities of Spain’s wines. To this end, we uncover the stories and persons behind the wines, sharing our discoveries and favourite projects and sips.
In addition, we publish a set of practical resources, including a wine tastings agenda, and recommend wine-friendly stores, restaurants and bars to help our readers make the most of their passion.
SWL has been recognised with numerous accolades such as Best Wine Platform at the IWC Merchant Awards for Spain in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2018, SWL received the Gourmet Fuera de Serie Award for Online and Social Media Food and Wine Communication.
SWL does not accept paid or branded content. All articles express the independent opinions of their authors. The website is funded through advertising, promotional links, featured spaces and reports.
AMAYA CERVERA
Founder and editorHolding a degree in Journalism from the University of Navarra, she became involved in the world of wine in the mid-1990s, working for various wine guides, magazines and leading companies in the Spanish wine trade. Her Basque roots and upbringing in a culture that celebrates food and convivial gatherings around the table likely nurtured her natural affinity for this liquid world. Based in Madrid, she enjoys convenient access to most Spanish wine regions and the vibrant tasting scene in the capital, although she still misses the sea and the green landscapes of her homeland.
Amaya has published articles in national and international magazines such as Sibaritas, where she was editor-in-chief, Sobremesa, Metrópoli, PlanetaVino, Decanter, The World of Fine Wine, Harpers and Meininger. She currently writes the ‘Historias de vino’ section in El País Semanal. She is a regular speaker at wine meetings and serves as a judge at international competitions like Decanter World Wine Awards. She is also a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and a Caballero of the Gran Orden del Vino.
In 2023 she received the National Gastronomy Award for Gastronomic Communication. This is the highest distinction awarded in Spain in this field.
Part of her current revenue comes from consultancy work and participating in tasting panels. She is currently a member of the tasting committees of La Rioja Alta and Bodegas Lan.
YOLANDA ORTIZ DE ARRI
English editor and writerShe holds BA Honours degrees in Journalism and Translation and Interpreting. She has worked on print, TV and online media as well as corporate communications and is fluent in both Spanish and English. Out of her 13-year stay in England, she is particularly proud of the five years she spent working for the Financial Times, where she learnt most of what she knows about journalism. Yolanda passed the WSET Advanced level and is a Certified Sherry and Montilla-Moriles Educator. At SWL, she serves as the English editor, compiles our monthly wine tastings agenda and writes articles, features and interviews -her favourite journalistic genre.
As a self-employed professional, Yolanda combines her work at SWL with freelance contributions to wine magazines like Decanter and with organisations like EDA Drinks & Wine Campus. She also teaches about wine, both in English and Spanish, and specialises in wine-related translations. Yolanda lives happily in Vitoria-Gasteiz, but as many Basques, she dreams of retiring in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, in Sherry country.
Our dear contributors
SWL benefits from the expertise of colleagues based outside Spain, who provide valuable insights into the perception and status of Spanish wines in their respective countries. Additionally, specialists in specific areas of the wine and food business contribute their knowledge. This community of contributors arean essential part of our work and vision.