Baron de Ley S.A. - Introduction

Introduction

Ctra de Lodosa a Mendavia km 5.5
Mendavia E-31587
Spain
Telephone: +34 948 69 43 03
Fax: +34 948 69 43 04
Web site: http://www.barondeley.com

Public Company
Incorporated: 1985
Employees: 106
Sales: EUR 77.36 million ($101 million) (2004)
Stock Exchanges: Bolsa de Madrid
Ticker Symbol: BDL
NAIC: 312130 Wineries

Baron de Ley S.A. is a fast-growing Spanish winery. The Mendavia-based company focuses especially on producing mid- to high-end Rioja wine grades, with an emphasis on Crianza (62 percent of production) and Reserva (25 percent). The company also produces a limited range of premium Gran Reserva (less than 3 percent). The company's wines bear the labels of its two main wineries, Baron de Ley and El Coto de Rioja, as well as fast-growing El Meson. The company also bottles wines under the Maximo label, launched in 2002 to produce varietal wines, chiefly for the international market. Since 2003, the company also has been producing "modern" wines at its Finca Museum winery in the Cigales DOC region. Baron de Ley also has been developing the ambitious Los Almendros vineyard and winery, for which it has acquired a total of 235 hectares. Planting at Los Almendros was launched in 2004, with the final phase of planting expected to be completed by 2007. Baron de Ley, led by Eduardo Santos-Ruiz Diaz, is often cited as being a driving force behind the resurrection of Rioja's profile in the international wine market. In an extension into a new market, Baron de Ley has been developing a business producing cured Iberian ham, through subsidiary Dehesa Baron de Ley SL. The company expects production of its hams—said to be an excellent accompaniment for Rioja wines—by 2006. Established in 1985, the company has led the modernization of growing, production, and aging techniques to create superior wines. The company is listed on the Bolsa de Madrid. In 2004, Baron de Ley's sales topped EUR 77 million ($101 million).