Independent Craftsmen
The Gremi de Vinyataires Independents is a pioneering association in Catalonia that brings together independent winegrowers and artisans. This collective is made up of more than seventy Catalan wineries that work outside the conventional wine industry. With an audacious spirit and well-defined objectives, this project arises with the determination to change the country’s wine scene.
A Movement for Transformation
The Independent Vintners are small wine producers who have decided to unite to achieve greater representation in a sector where they feel marginalized. With almost 70 wineries throughout Catalonia, this group represents 10% of the country’s total wineries. Its members work to achieve various objectives related to the prestige and development of their winemaking activity.
Authentic labeling
One of the Guild’s demands is to be able to label wine bottles with the names of the municipalities where the wine is made. This action, as simple as it is logical, is currently limited by the regulations of the Denominations of Origin. The developers complain that they cannot use the full names of the municipalities due to the restrictions imposed by these regulations. This limits their ability to express the authenticity and origin of their wines.
Freedom and Recognition
The majority of Independent Vinyataires are not part of any Denomination of Origin, although some members of the Guild are attached to these entities. In addition, the collective calls for a reduction in bureaucracy and the recognition of the figure of the wine artisan. They also defend the possibility of obtaining certifications for wineries that are not linked to any Denomination of Origin.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Most of the Guild’s wineries work in an ecological and natural way, following the group’s founding principles. This way of working implies respect for the territory and a guarantee of generational relief. Independent Vintners are committed to sustainability and want to preserve winemaking traditions for future generations.
A Struggle That Goes Beyond Catalonia
The Guild of Independent Winegrowers is a member of the European Confederation of Independent Winegrowers (CEVI), a European association that brings together around 10,000 winegrowers. This network of professionals, mostly French and Italian, shares the same goals and fights to achieve changes in wine regulations.
Collaboration with INCAVI
The Guild of Independent Winemakers has established a working table with the Catalan Institute of Vine and Wine (INCAVI). This collaboration aims to advance the achievement of the group’s objectives and portends a promising future for the transformation of the wine sector.
A Collective With Its Own Voice
The Guild of Independent Vintners is a farmers’ movement that raises its voice against institutional barriers. With determination and passion, this collective fights for the use of local toponyms, the recognition of wine craftsmanship and the preservation of winemaking traditions. With an innovative spirit and a vision of the future, the Independent Vintners aspire to change the wine landscape and leave a legacy for future generations.