OREANDA-NEWS. SPI Group announces the appointment of Silvio Oscar Alberto as the CEO of Achaval Ferrer, thus adding another key component to the structure that will manage the multiple award winning Argentinian winery.

Mr Alberto joins Achaval Ferrer from Diamandes Winery, where he served as General Manager and the first winemaker, overseeing the company's finance, administration, retail and tourism departments. Prior to that, he was winemaker and production manager at Andeluna Cellars S.R.L Bodega de Ward Lay Winery.

In this new role, Mr Oscar Alberto will oversee all activities at Achaval Ferrer and will report directly to Val Mendeleev, CEO of SPI Group. “His knowledge of the wine industry and its dynamics will be essential as we expand SPI Group's wine portfolio in Argentina and beyond” said Mr Mendeleev.

Mr Alberto's main objectives will be to grow the Achaval Ferrer brand nationally and internationally, with an uncompromising approach to quality, to expand the business and to increase its production capacity - both organically and through M&A - consolidating the reputation of this iconic winery and taking it to new heights. Mr Alberto's appointment is effective from Monday, 21 October 2013.

Santiago Achaval continues as President of the Board and winemaker of Achaval-Ferrer, and will support the company's global PR activities.