Isabel Mijares
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Isabel Mijares | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1942 |
| Died | (aged 81) Madrid, Spain |
| Occupation | Oenologist |
María Isabel Mijares García-Pelayo (1942 – 10 February 2024) was a Spanish oenologist. She was considered the first woman in the profession and the first woman to run a winery in Spain.[1]
María Isabel Mijares was born in Mérida, where she had a "happy childhood" alongside her eight siblings.[1][2] Her father's family were of Leonese origin, and ran a home winery, through which she was introduced to winemaking.[2]
Mijares began studying chemistry at Universidad Complutense, but put her degree on hold.[3] In 1967 she began studying oenology at the Institute of Oenology of the University of Bordeaux in France after receiving a scholarship from the French government.[2][3] While there, she met Émile Peynaud, who became her mentor.[2] In 1970, she completed her doctorate in oenology at the institute.[2]
Career
Mijares ran Palacio de Arganza, a winery in Villafranca del Bierzo.[3]
From 1982 until 1987, Mijares chaired the Valdepeñas Regulatory Council, the first woman to do so. In 1985 she joined the Royal Academy of Gastronomy as a viticulture expert.[3]
From 1998 until 2019, Mijares served as the coordinator and director of the Camps Guide to the Best Wines in Spain.[2]
Beginning in 2017, Mijares served as technical director of wine activities for the Real Casino of Madrid.[2]
