International Wine Expert and Founder of GoDrinks
I have helped to make Bali’s wine market landscape more diverse and competitive by bringing better wines at more affordable prices.
Tell us your story – how did you get here?
My home town in Spain – south of Barcelona – is surrounded by vineyards and wineries. So, I started a summer job at a winery and soon learned how to make wines and discovered a passion for tasting. Once I graduated from Business Administration, I joined the team at the same winery in the export department. There, I discovered one of my other big passions: travelling. My first opportunity in Asia was through a wine distribution company in the Maldives. And yes, it sounds incredible; selling the best wines of the world in one of the most beautiful places on earth! But after two years, I got a bit bored and moved to Hong Kong. There, I joined a small group of entrepreneurs and we built the first direct-to-consumer wine business in China.
In just a few years, it went from a very small company to the biggest in the world with over 35,000 bottles delivered a day. That company was then sold to a group of investors, and that’s when I decided to move out of China into South East Asia: first to Singapore and finally to Bali. I wasn’t planning on opening a business here, but the pandemic and the fact we could not travel gave me the courage to start. So here we are two years later with GoDrinks; a great story about how we bring wines with the best quality at the best prices to clients in Bali. I also opened a certified wine school with the Wine Institute of London, and we have been supporting a young community of wine sommeliers to help improve their learning.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
At a personal level, of course my two kids. But at a professional level, I think my proudest moment was maybe in 2013 when I was first nominated by Decanter Magazine in the top 50 Most Influential People in the wine business, in 27th position. Or perhaps it was when our company received the award of Best Online Wine Company in the World…
What impact have you made in Bali?
I think I have helped to make Bali’s wine market landscape more diverse and competitive by bringing better wines at more affordable prices. Now, we can now drink great wines at better prices than before.
What does the future look like for you?
I think it looks like a great year ahead, seeing the island back to its normal state with tourism and good business for all. It’s a very positive feeling.
What do you love most about Bali?
The mix of nature, mountains, volcanoes and the seaside. Also the culture and religion – it never ceases to amaze me how it continues to exist over time, while most religions and cultures in the western world are disappearing, particularly among the younger generations.
What makes the perfect drink, and why?
Coffee in the morning and water at night… and yes, sometimes wine is also the last, of course!
Who is your Local Legend and why?
My wife Hesi Amanda. She always has a smile on her face and a good word to say, plus plenty of energy to look after the kids and even energy to support the business too.