Ryan Opaz
Born in Minnesota, Ryan is the co-founder of Catavino.net, Catavino Marketing, Wineblogger.info and the European Wine Bloggers Conference. He also consults on the AVIN project and the social tasting note site Adegga.com Although a chef at heart, Ryan’s time is spent giving workshops and speeches internationally on social media and blogging for wineries. Examples of his work include: Wine Future, London International Wine Fair 2009, 2010, Essência do Vinho, London Boutique Winery Tasting, Bibendum Annual Tasting, Congreso Internacional de Turismo Enologico, International Wine Tourism Conference & Workshop in Sitges, Fine Wine. A Certified Sherry Educator, member of the Wine Century Club and a Judge at Essencia do Vinho in Portugal. Ryan is always available for consulting at: Contact Ryan
Ryan’s Story Archive
Gabriella Opaz
Born and bred in Chicago, IL, Gabriella is the co-founder of Catavino.net, Catavino Marketing, Wineblogger.info and the European Wine Bloggers Conference. Considered the “Little Engine that Could”, Gabriella is the motor behind Catavino’s projects, giving them life and fruition. Member of the Wine Century Club & the Circle of Wine Writers, a Certified Sherry Educator, Editor for Palate Press, Judge at Essencia do Vinho (2008,2009) and Bacchus (2010) and a post graduate of UMN with a Masters in Education, she can be contacted at Gabriella
Gabriella’s Story Archive
Andrea Smith
Andrea moved to Campo de Ourique, Lisbon, in early 2008 with a dream to work and learn more about Portuguese wine. Born in Northern Virginia in 1983, Andrea’s Italian family taught her the importance of pairing fresh food with great wine, eventually motivating her to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), where she earned an Associates and Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Business Management, as well as her Introductory Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2004. Andrea uses her love of culture, gastronomy and language to research the hidden recipes and wines of Portugal. Check out more opportunities to join Andrea’s food and wine experiences at An American In Portugal Tours .
Andrea’s Story Archive
Quentin Sadler
Although English, Quentin is Spanish at heart. His family have had a home near Javea, in Alicante Province, since his birth in 1965 – his father and brother now live there full time. This experience of Spain gave him an appreciation of food and drink from an unusually early age. This led directly, in 1984, to the ill formed opinion, based upon drinking a little bad wine let down with La Casera, that he knew about wine and could therefore make a living in the wine trade. He has spent the last 26 years learning about it properly and after stints managing wine shops, selling to the trade, being a buyer and a marketeer, he is now a wine educator and wine writer. Quentin loves any wine that is interesting, expressive and idiosyncratic and passionately believes that Spain and Portugal are amongst the most exciting wine producing countries in the world today. As well as educating interested consumers in the UK, he trains members of the trade and writes Quentin Sadler’s Wine Page.
Quentin’s Story Archive
Rick Fisher
Rick physically resides in San Diego, CA, but his heart and soul live amongst the people of Spain. Born in 1966 to a Cuban mother and American father Rick’s passion for all things Spanish finds its roots in his heritage – which actually traces back to royalty in Cataluña. By profession, Rick is a Sr. Banker with Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, but his true passion lies in educating people about the amazing food and wines of Spain. He recently completed his Master of Business Administration as well as his Spanish Wine Educator Certification. Rick has lived in Madrid and travels to Spain regularly; but he ultimately desires to live and work in Spain full-time. Rick also authors Bodega: Adventures in Spanish Food & Wine, a site devoted to educating others on the gastronomic treasures to be had in Spain. Rick also maintains and writes the blog Bodega Spanish Wine.
Rick’s Story Archive
Sonia Nolasco
Born in Lisbon, Portugal, Sonia grew up in New Jersey’s Ironbound-Newark community where a vibrant Portuguese immigrant enclave exists. Sonia’s passion for Portugal and its food and wine, eventually led her to Catavino. Her past writing experience includes: Life Editor at The Jersey Journal newspaper; Magazine Editor at Gateway Guide and Jersey City Magazine; Associate Editor at Event Marketer magazine. Currently, Sonia is the Director of Communications at Grand Central Marketing. At home, she is dedicated to recreating family recipes and experimenting with Portuguese wine pairings. Her very personal, long-term goal is to continue finding ways to help promote Portugal’s Beira Baixa region, its gastronomy and wine. It is the region where Bemposta do Campo is located. The sleepy, rural village where Sonia spent summers playing as her grandparents farmed and produced their homemade foods—including wine.
Sonia’s Story Archive
Burt Frink
Burt Frink lives on a high floor of the tallest building in a leafy American suburb with a seldom played baby grand piano, an often petted, walked and fussed over tiny dog and fourteen hundred cookbooks which he cooks from daily. These books would be considered an obsessive personal weakness if he didn’t justify his behavior by cooking. Asked why he collects books on food and wine he says God told him to. Pressed further on that event he says that her voice (God that is) sounds somewhat like Sharon Stone, Lauren Bacall and Joan Greenwood melded together. She sounds nothing like Tina Fey. He has collected for forty years. Some consider him opinionated.
Burt’s Story Archive
Carla Bigio
Carla learned from an early age to appreciate food and its importance as a thread in uniting people. Raised in the Bahamas and Switzerland, she was always in the kitchen with her Colombian, Italian and Arabic family. Initially graduating in Art History, she felt a need to embark in a new life in Barcelona, Spain where she received her Culinary Arts degree at the Hofmann Escuela Culinaria. After owning her own restaurant for 5 years in Barcelona, she decided to pursue a more hands on approach, teaching in various schools throughout the city. Her extensive travel throughout Europe, South America and the Caribbean helped her hone her skills as an educator, and also gave her the idea to launch her own blog, Expat Chef in Barcelona to share her knowledge with the world.
Carla’s Story Archive
Tara O’Leary
Tara O’Leary is the author and star of Wine Passionista. Based in the UK, Tara is a Certified Educator from the world-renowned Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and accredited by the Society of Wine Educators as a Certified Specialist of Wine.For over 10 years she has honed her expertise while enjoying a diverse range of responsibilities including as Head Sommelier at first-class London establishments, advising top hotels and restaurants on wines for their list, writing the book series, Every Wine Tells a Story, contributing articles to several online publications, and judging international wine competitions.
Tara’s Story Archive
John Perry
After eight years as a lifestyle journalist in Spain, John decided to abandon his career in favor of brighter pastures and earned a Masters in Wine Marketing from the University of South Australia. Upon returning to his hometown in Logroño (La Rioja) in 2010, he was irretrievably launched into the wine business when he started working for one of the oldest wineries in the region. Supported by the gracious congeniality and great passion for wine he inherited from his parents -who both have over 30 years of experience in the industry-; today, he travels the world representing his brands as part of the winery’s export team. John is proud both to learn something new about wine every day and to continue with his other passion: communicating the things he discovers through writing.
John’s Story Archive
Duncan Rhodes
Editor of Barcelona-life.com and founder and editor of Urban Travel Blog. Originally from the UK, Duncan is well versed in the art of travel, taking his insatiable curiosity on the road, and exploring the back alleys to encounter life’s hidden treasures.
Duncan’s Story Archive
