Marta Vidal elected President of the Cava DO, ushering in a new chapter for Spain’s sparkling wine appellation

The Cava Designation of Origin has entered a new phase in its development with the election of Marta Vidal as President of its Regulatory Council. Elected by an absolute majority during the Plenary Session held in Vilafranca del Penedès, Vidal becomes the first woman to lead the appellation since its creation, marking an important milestone for one of the world’s leading sparkling wine regions.

Since 2017, Marta Vidal has served as CEO of Vallformosa, where she has overseen the transformation and professionalisation of the historic winery after building her career in the banking sector. Her appointment reflects the appellation’s desire to combine strong business leadership with a long-term vision focused on quality, sustainability and the promotion of its winegrowing heritage.

Upon taking office, Vidal emphasised her commitment to bringing the entire sector together around a shared vision for the future of Cava. Her roadmap is built around three strategic priorities: enhancing the prestige of the Cava DO, highlighting the value of its vineyards and strengthening confidence across the sector. These objectives continue the appellation’s ongoing efforts to reinforce its identity through greater recognition of origin, terroir differentiation and sustainable viticulture. David Sendra Anglès was also elected Vice-President and will support the new president throughout the four-year term. The Regulatory Council continues to reflect the diversity of the Cava sector through balanced representation of growers, cooperatives and wine producers.

The appointment comes at a key moment for the appellation as it continues to strengthen its premium positioning on international markets. Today, more than 70% of Cava production is exported to over 100 countries. The appellation represents around 38,000 hectares of vineyards, 6,200 winegrowers and 349 member wineries, making it one of Spain’s most internationally recognised wine regions.

With Marta Vidal now at its helm, the Cava DO begins a new chapter driven by a clear ambition: to further enhance the reputation of Cava while strengthening unity across the sector and continuing its evolution as one of the world’s benchmark traditional-method sparkling wines.