Former tennis star Rafa Nadal is expanding his business portfolio into winemaking by partnering with the Spanish entrepreneurial family Gil to advance the El Tenista wine project, malloracmagazin.com reported. The 40-year-old athlete announced via social media that he has been working with the family on the initiative for some time and expressed enthusiasm for learning from their experience.
Joining Forces with the Gil Family
Nadal shared his thoughts on the new venture through his online platforms, stating that he is very happy to be part of the initiative alongside such an experienced family. “There are projects that you look forward to with special excitement, and this is one of them,” he wrote in his recent post. While the announcement established his entry into the sector, the initial details regarding how the wine project will develop, which specific wines will be offered, or when bottles will hit the market remain undisclosed in his public statements.
Building a Diversified Business Portfolio
The winemaking venture adds to a broad commercial footprint that Nadal has established following his retirement from professional tennis. Born in Manacor, Mallorca, in 1986, the athlete’s business interests span sport, education, tourism, gastronomy, real estate, and wellness. A cornerstone of his enterprise is the Rafa Nadal Academy, which he founded in his hometown in 2016. That sports and educational complex has since expanded internationally, establishing facilities and partner centers in Mexico, Greece, Kuwait, Albania, and Colombia.
Tourism, Marina Management, and Luxury Real Estate
In the tourism sector, Nadal partnered with hotel group Meliá to develop the ZEL brand, a Mediterranean-inspired concept that is expanding beyond Mallorca. He also holds a stake in Ocean Platform Marinas, a company that manages berths and sports harbors across the Mediterranean. Within the real estate market, Nadal collaborates with Ibizan entrepreneur and former Spanish foreign minister Abel Matutes. Through their joint entity Palya Invest, the partners pursue luxury developments in locations such as Marbella, Estepona, and Madrid, including high-end residential complexes linked with international design brands.
Gastronomy, Wellness, and Retail Ventures
Beyond property and sports complexes, Nadal maintains restaurant investments in establishments like Tatel and Totó alongside other backers. His commercial interests extend further into the technology sector through a stake in the sports reservation platform Playtomic, as well as health and wellness via the NDL Pro-Health brand. Alongside his wife, Mery Perelló, he has also launched projects within the perfumery and cosmetics segment, complementing his ongoing endorsement agreements with international brands.
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