UK master of wine Sarah Jane Evans and Pablo Alvarez, managing director of iconic Duero producer Vega-Sicilia, were welcomed into the exclusive Caballeros club, joining the existing 61 members.

The Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino was founded in 1984 to recognize people in the UK wine trade who had shown “exceptional endeavour” in promoting Spanish wines. The body was expanded in 1989 to include members from the industry in Spain who have made similar efforts on the world scene.

One of only four women members of the Caballeros del Vino, Sarah Jane Evans MW is a well known UK wine writer. She lived in Madrid prior to studying Classics at university, and has written a book on Spanish cuisine

Born and educated in Bilbao, Pablo Alvarez joined the family business in 1980 and is said to have: “changed Vega-Sicilia from top to bottom in order that it remained the same”.