The González Byass management team’s speed of reaction, optimum use of technology and geographical and business diversification helped the Family of Wines and Spirits achieve a gross turnover of 279.6 million euros, down 9.5% on the previous year. Net turnover was 216.4 million euros, a similar reduction. At the close of the 2020 exercise (the financial year from 1st September 2019 to 31st August 2020), the company’s Ebitda had risen to 20.7 million euros as against 28.4 in 2019.
Following a decade of sustained growth, González Byass’ turnover was affected in those markets where hospitality is a major sector of industry, as it is in Spain, although this was cushioned by the healthy performance of sales overseas, which account for 73% of total business. Notwithstanding this scenario, the consolidated results of the company’s own distribution operations (Iberia, the USA, Mexico and the United Kingdom) delivered profits. The food and online sales channels also grew significantly, especially in the United Kingdom, where the online market has shown double-digit growth.
Engaging with the community
González Byass has launched initiatives to promote development in local communities and improve the wellbeing of residents. In line with this, the company began to manufacture hydroalcoholic gel in April 2020, distributing more than 55,000 litres to hospitals, care homes, soup kitchens, Red Cross centres and catering establishments across Spain.
Other corporate social responsibility initiatives include donating the income generated by the release of Tío Pepe en Rama 2020, at the height of the pandemic, to support the hospitality industry in Spain and the United Kingdom; supporting the hospitality sector in regions where the groups wineries and vineyards are located by offering training and creating digital versions of their menus; allowing restaurants in and around Jerez to use the company’s facilities in the city so that they were able to offer service outdoors, thus reducing the risks of spreading Covid-19 and, lastly, arranging free tours of the Vilarnau and Viñas del Vero wineries for health professionals and the country’s Armed and Security Forces.
Looking to the future
González Byass has continued to press on with long-standing projects started in recent years including, notably, finishing the new Beronia winery in D.O.Ca. Rioja and opening the Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe in Jerez de la Frontera, the world’s first Sherry Hotel.
The “5+5 Looking After the Planet” sustainability project has expanded to include using six forms of renewable energy (photovoltaic, geothermal, green hydrogen, biomass, solar thermal and aerothermal) that will provide between 25 and 60% of the energy consumed at six of the group’s wineries. González Byass has also joined the United Nations Global Compact, meaning it has committed to prioritizing the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDO): quality education, decent work and economic growth, climate action and life on land.
Wine Family of the Year
The “Excellence in Wine and Spirits” awards, organized by German publication Meininger, have honoured González Byass with the title of “Wine Family of the Year”. The accolade recognizes the work done by a company that, in the hands of the fifth generation of the family, is keeping the very essence of its founder alive.
