Spain: International wine chain Lavinia celebrates ten years of success

Spain. Lavinia, a store specialized in wine sales and founded in 1999, is celebrating its tenth anniversary with an expansion process that has led to opening three new outlets over the past twelve months, now offering more than 4,500 brands from 30 countries and reeling in over 35 million euros worth of yearly profits.

With eight stores in Europe, Lavinia aims to develop its business model through new store openings in coming years, either its own or through franchise arrangements that would include retail stores at airports.

It also has a network of retailers that was recently recognized as the best website of Spanish wine in the world, according to research studies in Vinexpo’s latest edition.

The concept originated a decade ago and was accomplished by Frenchmen Thierry Servant and Pascal Chevrot, two lovers of the world of wine who unveiled a store specialized in the sale of quality wines, quite a novelty in this market sector.

Servant had a successful career in L’Oreal Spain, which ended over ten years with him performing the duties of Director General and CEO of the company. Pascal Chevrot, a counselor for 15 years, was also delegate of Sulamerica financial group in Spain and later became adviser for the Champagne Louis Roederer Group.

Lavinia’s philosophy hinges on the innovative design of its stores, including temperature control and lighting systems designed to protect wine and prime locations in some of the best areas of the cities in which they are located.

Another of its greatest contributions has been the pursue of an approach between wine producers and customers in a modern setting, perfectly suited to the characteristics of wine storage and display, with expert advice from sommeliers to the consumer at the outlets and the offer of a highly professional and customized service, which makes Lavinia not only a wine store chain, but also a place of culture, communication and exchange.

Two years after the store opened in Madrid, Lavinia landed in Barcelona, and then went on its international expansion into France and Switzerland. Furthermore, it launched its franchise business model in a shop in Kyiv and then in Odessa, two cities in Ukraine, in Eastern Europe.

The company handpicks the finest wines, the most original and promising ones, and the best value grape products for money, based on the philosophy that good wines do not necessarily have to be expensive. Thus, it offers an international assortment continually updated by its Committee of tasting, with over 4,500 references of wines and spirits from more than 35 countries, including 2,000 international and 2,000 domestic references, as well as 500 items ranging from distillates and books to accessories.

According to founder Thierry Servant, after ten years the philosophy of Lavinia remains the same: to pass on his passion for the world of wine to customers, and the respect and admiration for the people who help produce each and every bottle with passion and authenticity.