The mayor of Jerez, María José García-Pelayo, has been proclaimed Dame of the Serenísimo Capítulo del Vino during the LXII Investiture of this historic wine brotherhood, the oldest in Spain. The ceremony took place at the Regulatory Council of Jerez, where the mayor expressed her gratitude for the honour and highlighted the significance of the event for the city.
During the investiture, García-Pelayo was presented with the ceremonial cape and took an oath in accordance with the brotherhood's rules. She was then awarded a medal and a wine glass, with which she made a toast. The president of the brotherhood, Jordi Fontquerni Bas, invested her by placing a wooden vine shoot on her shoulders. The mayor also signed the same book where all previous investees and proclaimers have recorded their signatures since 1966.
Alongside García-Pelayo, eight other individuals were honoured as dames and knights of the Serenísimo Capítulo del Vino, including Carlos Roiger Felip, Joan Casamy, Juan Solác, Rosa María Tibau, Eduardo Lagarda, Jordi Martín, Santiago Mercé, and Ignacio Ginebreda.
A historic return to Jerez
This year’s investiture marks the return of the institution to Jerez after 58 years, with the city having hosted its fourth investiture on 9 November 1968, featuring José María Pemán as the proclaimer. The 2026 event had César Saldaña, president of the Regulatory Council and the Wine and Brandy Route of Jerez, as the proclaimer.
In her speech, the mayor congratulated the brotherhood on its 60th anniversary and thanked Fontquerni Bas and the board members for choosing Jerez as the venue for this significant celebration. She emphasised the cultural importance of the Serenísimo Capítulo del Vino, which promotes the preservation and appreciation of Spanish wine culture, viewing wine not only as a product of excellence but also as a bridge between communities and a reflection of history.
Jerez's identity as a wine city
García-Pelayo reaffirmed Jerez's status as a city synonymous with wine, celebrating its rich viticultural heritage as a key aspect of its identity, recognised worldwide. She noted that the investiture returned to the Palace of Wine, the same venue as the 1968 ceremony, and praised Saldaña's commitment to promoting Jerez wines.
The mayor also welcomed guests from various regions of Spain, Europe, and the United States, viewing their presence as an opportunity to showcase Jerez as a historical wine city. She encouraged the knights of the brotherhood to deepen their knowledge of Jerez wines and enjoy the city's offerings, hoping they would take away memorable experiences.
The Serenísimo Capítulo del Vino has evolved over six decades from a circle of wine culture advocates to a prominent institution that connects producers, entrepreneurs, experts, and civil society representatives. Its independence from any specific denomination of origin allows it to symbolically represent the diversity of Spanish wine and link different regions, generations, and traditions.
Investitures have been held in various prestigious locations, including wineries, monasteries, and castles, combining personal recognition with cultural promotion, heritage, and gastronomy. The brotherhood's primary contribution lies in elevating wine as a cultural prestige element and a connection between regions. Notably, Salvador Dalí served as the proclaimer for the first investiture in 1966 at the Castle of Peralada.
