Vega Sicilia legal battle to last ‘up to 5 years’

Renowned Spanish producer Vega Sicilia has become embroiled in a 'lamentable' family conflict as managing director Pablo Alvarez battles his father for control of the estate.

Alvarez: ‘This war benefits no-one’

The historic Ribera del Duero vineyards of Vega Sicilia, established in 1859, came under the control of the Alvarez family in 1982, which acquired the estate as joint shareholders.

David Alvarez subsequently appointed his son Pablo as managing director of the property.

In recent times, however, tensions rose between father and son concerning the future direction of Vega Sicilia.

In 2009, the family feud erupted, leading David Alvarez at the age of 83 years to initiate legal proceedings against his son to petition for complete control of the property.

Pablo Alvarez told Decanter.com he was reluctant to expand upon the underlying reasons for the conflict.

‘It is our family policy not to issue any personal comment regarding our views on our father’s actions. This we intend to maintain, above all else.’

According to Alvarez, a difficult and expensive legal battle lies ahead. ‘Considering our court system, we expect the case to be fought for between 2 to 5 years.

‘This war benefits no-one, it is lamentable that this has happened to my family. But we are not the first and we will not be the last’, he added.

Neither Vega Sicilia nor the Alvarez family has issued an official statement regarding the conflict.

Written by James Lawrence