Tradition and innovation come together at Fundador to celebrate female talent

More than 150 people experienced a unique night at the winery on the occasion of the gala “The Top 100 Founders, the legacy continues”

Jerez de la Frontera, October 6, 2025

The historic Cloister of Bodegas Fundador, in the heart of Jerez, was dressed in blue to host the XIII edition of The Top 100 Women Leaders, an event organized by Magas —women’s supplement of El Español— in collaboration with the oldest winery in the Jerez region. Under the slogan “The Top 100 Founders: the legacy continues”, the event brought together some of the most influential women in Spain, uniting generations and talents in an evening that was, at the same time, tribute, inspiration and commitment to the future.

Union of generations

Ángel Piña, advisor at Pedro Domecq and Global Commercial and Marketing Director Fundador-Emperador, was the host of the meeting and personally welcomed all attendees. Piña emphasized the importance of hosting this event in the heart of the cradle of the first Spanish brandy, as a symbol of union between tradition, progress and leadership.

The gala, presented by Cruz Sánchez de Lara, executive vice president of El Español and editor of Magas and ENCLAVE ODS, paid tribute to pioneering women and to new voices that represent energy and emerging talent. The master of ceremonies highlighted the challenge and pride of bringing this event to Jerez: “It’s very easy to do things in Madrid, but look what we’ve stirred up to get all this here.”

Also, Sánchez de Lara emphasized that this edition symbolizes a bridge between generations: “Today we celebrate those who opened doors and those who are coming on strong. If we want to move forward, we must do it hand in hand with the young.”

Ángel Piña spoke on behalf of Fundador, remembering the values that unite the brand and female leadership: perseverance, passion and the ability to reinvent oneself without losing the essence. “Today is not just any day for Fundador or for Jerez. It is the first time that “The Top 100” has come here and it is a huge honor,” he affirmed, before drawing a parallel between brandy and female trajectories: “The brandy needs time and character to mature, like the careers of these exceptional professionals.”

The executive also remembered Carmen Núñez de Villavicencio, wife of Pedro Domecq Loustau, the creator of Brandy Fundador 150 years ago, who courageously assumed the family legacy after the death of her husband. And she became an essential pillar of the house’s history and an example of female strength.

The institutional presence was provided by María José García-Pelayo, mayor of Jerez and president of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), who congratulated Fundador for its role as a cultural dynamizer and for positioning the city as a meeting point for female leadership. “I am the mayor of the 26th most populous city in Spain and every day I feel that I have to prove that I deserve it. We must strengthen ourselves and weave networks so that our country is better,” she declared.

The Magas Awards by Fundador: footprints that inspire

The evening hosted the delivery of the first Magas Awards by Fundador, conceived exclusively by the Mallorcan artist Lolo Garner, an international reference with sculptures present in spaces such as the Zarzuela Palace, El Pardo or the private museum of the Vatican, as well as in collections in Miami, New York or Berlin.

For this occasion, the artist has created a sculpture full of symbolism: a fingerprint carved on a mirror, in which each award recipient can see herself reflected. The set is held on a genuine stave, one of the woods that make up the curved walls of the barrels where Fundador’s wines and brandies rest.

Each piece is a unique work that unites art and legacy: the century-old wood from the soleras merged with the unrepeatable imprint of recognized women, creating a dialogue between past, present united by the contemporary gaze of Lolo Garner

The “Conscious Career” Award went to content creator Marina Rivers, a reference of young leadership and digital communication. The businesswoman Tamara Gorro, presented the award, and highlighted Rivers’ commitment to authenticity and consistency:

“I have often doubted whether it is worth raising my voice. Today, surrounded by such admirable women, I know it is”, expressed Marina visibly moved.

The “Creator of The Top 100” Award went to Mercedes Wullich, founder of the movement, who received the award from Ángel Piña. In his speech, the Fundador executive highlighted her role as a promoter of female visibility and her ability to inspire other women to leave a deep imprint, “as firm as the roots of our soleras”.

With the recognitions in the hands of their recipients, the most awaited announcement was made: the opening of the public voting period to choose the Top 100 Women Leaders 2025, which will extend until December 28. Piña did the countdown and, after his signal, a shower of blue confetti covered the cloister, marking the beginning of the new edition.

Influential guests

Among the nearly 150 attendees were major figures from politics, culture, communication and business. From the institutional and media sphere, the presence of journalist Mariló Montero, presenter Patricia Pérez, the deputy director of Canal Sur Isabel Cabrera or the director of Magas, Ana Núñez-Milara.

From the business and entrepreneurial environment, attended Patricia Benito de Mateo (Openbank), Marta Manzano (Tesseo), the executive Ainhara Viñaras (Shiseido) and Julia Casademunt, communication manager of Lola Casademunt.

From the world of fashion and creation, the writer and businesswoman Fiona Ferrer, the designer Paloma Suárez, the stylist Erea Louro, the model Virginia Troconis with her husband Manuel Benítez “El Cordobés”, and the model Marta López Álamo.

Among the voices of art and digital culture, were the visual artist Carlota Pérez de Castro, the content creator Paula Ordovás, the influencer Sara Baceiredo and the pioneering firefighter María Luisa Cabañero, accompanied by her daughter María Pascual.

Representing social leadership and female inspiration, attended Sandra Ibarra, founder of the Foundation that bears her name.

There were also representatives from the city of Jerez and friends of the winery who did not want to miss a night that will go down in the history of Bodegas Fundador and the city. Among them Mercedes Colombo, (Delegate of the Andalusian Government in Cádiz); the designer Aurora Gaviño; Begoña Romero (Vice President of the CEC); Gema García Bermúdez (President of Women Entrepreneurs Cádiz); Lola Rueda (President of Unstoppable Women; Jorge Pascual and Patricia de la Puerta (President and General Secretary of Fedejerez); Judit Anda Ugarte (President of the Cartuja Jerez Stud Farm); María Dolores Martínez Abad, (Businesswoman and Director of the Charity Service of the Diocese of Jerez); Mercedes Núñez, (Manager Jerez TV); Mauricio González (President Gonzales Byass); Rafael Olivera, (Director Real Andalusian School of Equestrian Art) or Antonio Mariscal, (President Tourism Cluster), among others

A blue toast with the Magas cocktail for Fundador

The blue, the main color of the evening, permeated all the details: from the carpet and the awards to the lighting of the cloister.

Between conversation and music, the attendees were able to enjoy another of the main protagonists of the day: the cocktail “Magas for Fundador”, made with the brandy Fundador Sherry Cask Double Wood Reserve. A proposal created in collaboration with Magas as a tribute to the feminine spirit.

Inspired by vintage with a contemporary touch, this cocktail reinterprets brandy in a fresh and cultural key.

Recipe for the Magas cocktail for Fundador:

• 5 cl of Brandy Fundador Sherry Cask Double Wood
• 1.5 cl of natural lime juice
• Grapefruit soda
• Blue salt on the rim of the glass
• Half a slice of pink grapefruit for decoration

The cocktail is served in a tall glass with ice, combining the brandy with the acidity of the lime and the freshness of the grapefruit. The blue salt and the pink slice add an aesthetic touch and a modern air. A proposal designed to accompany special moments like the gala for the XIII edition of The Top 100 Women Leaders at Bodegas Fundador.