Image: H.E. Felix Benito is granted the decoration by H.E. Mr José Pascual Marco, The Ambassador of Spain to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
Felix Benito, founder of C&D wines, and Member of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino, was bestowed with the Officer’s Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella The Catholic at the Spanish Embassy in London on the 27th February 2024.
Felix was honoured with this recognition upon his retirement for his pioneering work introducing Spanish wine to the UK market. He established C&D Wines in 1985, with £100, and with the dream of bringing the best of Spain to the UK. He was later joined by Vicente Herrando and José Vélo-Rego (also a member of the Gran Orden).
After almost 40 years, C&D Wines has established itself as one of the leading suppliers of Spanish wines and foods to the UK market, working with over 80 Spanish producers.
Felix commented: “I was so proud and grateful receiving the decoration. It took me several days to come down from the clouds.”
He used his speech to express his gratitude to all the people that have surrounded him in his career, from his wife who helped him process the very first orders from their dining room, to all his colleagues, suppliers and customers.
The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic is a Spanish civil order of chivalry and honour granted to persons and institutions in recognition of extraordinary services to Spain or the promotion of international relations and cooperation with other nations.
The decoration is granted by the King of Spain and the Grand Chancellor, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Order was created in 1815 by King Ferdinand VII in honour of Queen Isabel I and is open to both Spaniards and foreigners with the intent of “rewarding the firm allegiance to Spain and the merits of Spanish citizens and foreigners in good standing with the Nation.”