The wine sector in southern Gran Canaria has reached a historic milestone following Diego T.'s victory at the 31st National Competition of the Spanish Union of Sommeliers (UES). The professional, who serves as corporate sommelier for Lopesan Hotel Group and the Bevir restaurant, won the gold medal, becoming the first representative of the Canary Islands Sommelier Association to reach the national podium. This triumph places the excellence of the dining room service in Meloneras establishments at the forefront of high-end hospitality in Spain.
The championship, which brings together the country's top experts in sensory analysis and winery management, has validated the technical rigor and experience of the Canary Islands sommelier against highly prestigious competitors. In a hard-fought final, Diego T. triumphed over Davide Dall'Amico, sommelier at the La Mina restaurant in Bilbao, who took second place, and Toni Albiol, representing the Catalan Association of Sommeliers, who completed the podium. This victory directly endorses the commitment to haute cuisine and specialized training that the Lopesan group champions in the south of the island.
The Canary Islands Sommelier Association's representation at the national competition wasn't limited to individual titles. Alfredo Di Marzi also achieved a place in the Top Ten, and Nuria España participated. This collective performance underscores the qualitative leap the sector has made in the archipelago, where the sommelier has become a strategic asset for the competitiveness of luxury hotels and specialty restaurants in municipalities like San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
This award comes at a time of great excitement for gastronomic tourism in Gran Canaria. The national recognition of Diego T.'s work projects an image of professionalism and technical expertise that directly benefits the island's tourism brand, linking it to wine culture and exceptional service. The consolidation of local talent within the elite of Spanish sommeliers reinforces the region's appeal to international travelers seeking sophisticated dining experiences and service that meets the highest global standards.
