Pau Roca Blasco, Director General of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), passed away in Dijon on 7 December 2023 at the age of 65, after a long illness.
Born in Spain, Roca was elected Director General for five years in 2018 and was due to hand over to his successor New Zealander John Barker in January 2024. Prior to his position at the head of the OIV, Roca had headed the Spanish winegrowers' association, the Federación Española del Vino (FEV), for over 20 years.
Roca had been a Spanish delegate to the OIV since 1992 and held various leadership positions in the organization. Originally an oceanographer, Roca ended up working in wine via the olive oil industry. During his time as Director General, Roca deepened the OIV's relationships with other global institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO),and from 2016-18, he was vice-chairman of the organisation's "Sustainable Development and Climate Change" working group. He also oversaw the admission to the OIV or three new member states: Great Britain, Ukraine and most recently Albania. Roca was seen as a dynamic reformer of an organisation that had been accused of excessive conservatism. During a time when the wine industry has come under increased pressure from anti-alcohol lobbies, falling consumption and climate change, under his leadership, the OIV has become more open and more collaborative and a more sophisticated user of modern technology.
Regina Vanderlinde and Luigi Moio, presidents of the OIV during Pau Roca's tenure, praised his conviction and commitment to the global wine industry, which enabled the organization to enter a new era. He is survived by his wife and three children.
