Vins i Licors Grau is a family business that has its origins in the mid-twentieth century. We invite you to join us on this journey through our history.
STARTING POINT WITH THE OPENING OF THE WINERY-TAVERN IN PALAFRUGELL
Vins i Licors Grau is a family company that was born in the mid 20th century. Its history goes back to 1951, when Miquel Gau i Lluís, father of Jordi Grau I Dillet, opened the doors of a winery-tavern on Palamós de Palafrugell street where bulk wine was sold and delivered.
Jordi Grau's incorporation
Fifteen years later, in 1966, Jordi Grau, who was then a music student, became involved in the family business. In 1969, he continued his studies at the Barcelona Conservatory and began a small commercial activity, buying wine and spirits in Barcelona and selling them in Palafrugell. This phase allowed him to gain first-hand knowledge of the industry, and it was in this environment that he met Maria Dolors Segarra, who worked for a wine representation company. A meeting that would mark the beginning of a shared life project.
Incorporation of maria Dolors Segarra
In 1974, after marrying Jordi Grau, Maria Dolors Segarra joined the family project. With previous experience in a wine and spirits representation company in Barcelona, run by her family from the Penedès region, she brought valuable industry knowledge. Now settled in Palafrugell, the couple gave the business a strong commercial boost, introducing the first bottled products and ushering in a new stage of growth for the company.
JORDI AND MARIA DOLORS OPEN THEIR OWN BUSINESS TOGETHER
On August 1st 1977, Jordi Grau and Maria Dolors Segarra open their own business, a new 1,200 m2 premises in Manufactures del Suro street in Palafrugell, dedicated to the distribution of bottled wines and spirits; founded the company known today as Vins i Licors Grau.
DIGISA IS BORN AND A LOGISTICS WAREHOUSE IS INAUGURATED IN FIGUERES
In the 1980's the business was enlarged: The installations grew and exclusive distribution of products expanded to the entire province of Girona. At the beginning of 1987, a subsidiary company is created: Distribuidora Gironina, S.A. (DIGISA) exclusively dedicated to distribution. In June of the same year a logistic warehouse is opened in Figueres aiming to offer a better service to the border area of Alt Empordà.
INCORPORATION OF SERGI AND JORDI GRAU
The company continues to grow during the 90s to make the final leap well into the new millennium. Coinciding with the incorporation of Sergi and Jordi Grau y Segarra, the new generation.
INAUGURATION OF THE CURRENT FACILITIES OF VINS I LICORS GRAU
On May 20th 2003 the current installations of Vins i Licors Grau are opened, with 4,500 references including wines and spirits, that are soon enlarged to the 12,000 current references. These new installations occupy 15,000 m2 including the buildings, gardens and car parks and they are in Torroella Street No. 163 in Palafrugell. A grand opening party was held to start this new stage of the business, attended by more than 2,500 guests and personalities. The event was presented by the journalist Ramon Pellicer and the Minister of Labour, Industry and Commerce at the time - Antoni Fernández Teixidó- opened the installations.
ONLINE SALE BEGINS
Online sales began in 2009 with the website: www.grauonline.com. Where customers can choose from any of the12,000 wines and spirits references, and have them delivered to their home in less than 48 h in any address in Spain or Europe. To support and promote this new project, an advertisement was made with the model from Malage Elisabeth Reyes, Miss Spain 2006 and Queen of Cava 2009. The campaign was aired on television in Antena 3, Cuatro, TV3, C33 as well as Spanish radio stations. In the last few years, the project has received different acknowlgement and has consolidated the business as one of the reference virtual wine cellars in the sector.
40TH ANNIVERSARY
This year, coinciding with the 40th anniversary, the facilities were expanded: 500 m2 more wine cellar, reinforcing especially the air-conditioned area of great wines and increasing the total number of references to 12,000. Two wine by the glass dispensers were also acquired to keep them in perfect service conditions to promote the wine cellar-bar area. On the other hand, the warehouse was enlarged, 1,200 m2 more, fully air-conditioned, and a Miniload intelligent robotized warehouse was implemented to provide agility and efficiency to the growing online demand. Finally, the subway area is conditioned in an auditorium room for events or master classes on the world of wine and an air-conditioned room with collection wines of old vintages.
To celebrate the anniversary and the inauguration of the expansion, an opening party was held for more than 3,000 people, including personalities from the world of wine, customers and friends. The event was hosted by television presenter Manel Fuentes and was attended by the Marqués de Griñón, Bertín Osborne, Josep Roca, among other personalities.
YOUR HOUSE, YOUR WINE AND SERGIO DALMA
The second statewide television advertising campaign was launched, this time with the participation of the singer Sergio Dalma. The campaign is titled "Tu Casa, tu vino y Sergio Dalma", a contest was held in which the winner received a private concert by Sergio Dalma at his home. The prize was awarded in Andújar (Jaén) and the concert was held in February 2020.
40 years of experience
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