Grupo Paraguas founds the Spanish Wine Institute
Master’s in High Sommelier Studies to launch in September 2026
Grupo Paraguas has established the Spanish Wine Institute in collaboration with Idegat to position itself as a leading Spanish-speaking academic authority in higher oenological education. The Master’s in High Sommelier Studies, the initiative’s flagship program, will begin in September 2026, targeting elite professionals.
Postgraduate program with a Hispanic seal and international impact
Barcelona, 18/12/25
The creation of the Spanish Wine Institute coincides with the first anniversary of The Library, an innovative concept inaugurated on Serrano Street in Madrid that combines a specialized shop, wine bar-restaurant, and private club. Awarded Best Opening of the Year by The Fork in 2025 and nominated for Best Decoration by Metrópoli, the establishment has served as a prelude by organizing oenology courses, internal tastings, and external training sessions.
The Master’s in High Sommelier Studies will be aimed at professionals aspiring to high-level specialization. While the full curriculum will be revealed in the coming months, it is anticipated to combine theoretical content—such as viticulture, oenology, advanced sensory analysis, and legislation—with a practical focus on wine list management, high-end restaurant service, creative pairing, and floor management in premium establishments.
The program’s objective is not limited to training technical sommeliers, but rather to develop cultural leaders and managers capable of directing the wine experience in top-tier global restaurants, designing innovative wine lists, and communicating with rigor. The degree aims to fill a gap in Spanish-language education, where technical courses exist but postgraduate programs with a Hispanic identity and international impact are lacking.
Premium holding uncorks 350,000 bottles annually across its venues
Grupo Paraguas, founded in 2004 by Marta Seco and Sandro Silva, has consolidated its presence in the sector with flagship establishments such as El Paraguas, Ten con Ten, Ultramarinos Quintín, Numa Pompilio, Amazónico, Jungle Jazz Club, Aarde, La Destilería, Áurea, and The Library. The group operates in Madrid, London, Dubai, Monte Carlo, and Miami, distinguished by its focus on lifestyle dining where aesthetics, service, and a comprehensive experience complement the gastronomic offer.
According to company data, it uncorks more than 350,000 bottles per year, equivalent to approximately 120 per restaurant per day. In the last year, it has offered nearly 10,000 references to its clients, with 50% being of Spanish origin. This volume positions the group as a key player in the HoReCa channel, where wine constitutes a central pillar of its value proposition and justifies the vertical integration of its oenological expertise.
The project emerges as a natural evolution of the group’s commitment to wine culture. The initiative seeks to integrate scientific knowledge, applied technique, and wine culture from a global perspective of practical excellence, according to an institute spokesperson. The group employs more than 80 sommeliers and wine experts, ensuring high-quality advisory services in both purchasing and service.
Central cellar with capacity for 75,000 bottles in Lagasca
The group’s cellar reflects a balance between domestic and international labels: 55% are Spanish wines, including references from Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jerez, Priorat, Toro, Bierzo, Mallorca, and Tenerife. The international selection, representing the remaining 45%, is dominated (60%) by French wines from regions such as Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Loire, and Jura. This is complemented by labels from Italy, the United States, and the New World, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina.
To ensure the optimal preservation of this collection, Grupo Paraguas has inaugurated La Bodega de Lagasca, a new central warehouse with a capacity for over 75,000 bottles. This facility will supply all the group’s business units, ensuring rigorous control over storage, transport, and wine maintenance. The official presentation brought together winemakers, industry figures, and partners of The Library.
Industry analysts see this initiative as a strategy that not only elevates the Grupo Paraguas brand to the status of an academic authority but also creates a talent pool to fuel its operations and contributes to raising professional standards in global sommelierie. With this foundation, the group demonstrates that its ambition transcends opening successful restaurants to influence the future of the sector by training its next leaders.
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