Codorníu Raventós is the oldest family company is Spain and number 17 in the world. Codorníu Raventós is known for producing Cava, which is fermented sparkling wine made using the traditional method. It is the largest vineyard owner in Europe because it owns over3,000 hectares of vineyards. 

Two of the Cavas from Cordonui Raventos’s collection were chosen as the best Cavas in the world.

The Ars Collecta 457 

The Ars Collecta 457 and the Ars Collecta El Tros Nou won first and second place among 980 Cavas reviewed by the magazine, Wine Spectators. This isn’t the only award Codorníu Raventós has won for its unique cava collection.

Codorníu Raventós cares about sustainability in its supply chain

Codorníu Raventós employs multiple sustainable techniques, like decreasing water wastage, maintaining the natural ecosystem of the vineyard, and uses sustainable agricultural practices. Codorníu Raventós maintains sustainability not only at the vineyards, but also at all levels of the supply chain. Additionally, Codorníu Raventós encourages the development of local producers because it values the local communities.

Codorníu Raventós selling majority of its shares might decrease its sustainable practices.

The Carlyle Group is an American company that bought a huge stake of Codorníu Raventós

Last year Codorníu Raventós sold 68% stake of its company to Carlyle Group, a private equity and asset management corporation. This will help the company expand overseas, but might affect the company’s brand. Codorníu Raventósis known for having sustainable practices, so selling a huge stake of the company might lead to the adoption of lesser sustainable practices. This can be avoided if sustainability is discussed during the transfer of shares.

Questions

1. How do you plan to maintain sustainability during expansion?
2. What is the next market/country that you plan to enter?
3. How hard/easy is it to explain some of your values and culture to international partners?
4. What other sustainability methods to you practice?
5. How have you maintained your values for over 500 years?

According to a survey published by La Vanguardia, 84 percent of Spaniards believe that euthanasia should be an option for terminally ill patients who have the mental capabilities of making that choice. This number was largely due to the influence of multiple heart-breaking stories about euthanasia in Spain.

Debates on euthanasia has been sparked after a man confessed to assisting in the death of his wife.

Ángel Hernándezwas arrested after he helped his wife swallow a deadly substance which ended her life. His wife, Maria José Carrasco, has been suffering for 3 decades from multiple sclerosis.Ángel Hernández released a video of his last conversation with his wife, and that sparked a political debate in Spain over the legalization of euthanasia.

Spain’s socialist government proposed a bill to make euthanasia legal, which other political parties, except the People’s Party (PP) have agreed to support. Additionally, religious leaders oppose the legalization of assisted suicide. 

Hofstede’s cultural dimension shows that Spain has a more collective culture than other countries like the US, and offers less personal freedom. The legalization of euthanasia will help decrease the degree of collectivism in Spain, and will give the citizens personal freedom to decide whether to live or end their pain.

Ramon Sampedro’s death caused a huge debate on the legalization of euthanasia in Spain, a largely Catholic country.

Ángel Hernández’sstory isn’t the first to spark a debate over euthanasia in Spain.Ramon Sampedro, who was paralyzed due to a diving accident, recorded himself drinking cyanide in 1998 after his wish for euthanasia was denied. This video caused the citizens of Spain to demand the legalization of assisted suicide. 

A doctor in Spain was convicted of murder due to euthanasia.

In 2009, Marcus Hourmann, a doctor in Northeast Spain was convicted after giving a terminally ill patient a lethal dose of potassium chloride. He explained that the patient, who had colon cancer and multiple other ailments, asked him to end her life twice. He later agreed after the patient’s daughter mentioned that she couldn’t continue watching her mom choke and suffer. 

The legalization of euthanasia depends on the upcoming general election in Spain. 

After the death of Maria Jose Carrasco, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, promised to fight for the legalization of euthanasia if he returns to power after the election on April 28, 2019. The prime minister and the Spanish Socialist party’s efforts have been blocked by the opposing political party, the People’s Party. 

Spain is a catholic country, so it will be hard to change the laws on euthanasia, but with the right political candidate, legalization of euthanasia might be achieved. This story is interesting, so I will be following it to find out the decisions that will be made regarding euthanasia.

Plaza Mayor is in Madrid, Spain. It is full of history, so I’m excited to learn more about the fires that destroyed it leading to its reconstruction, the public execution, the bull fights etc.