Catavino
catar [ka-tar] ES v. to look at, examine; (saber) to taste, sample
vino [bee-no] m.wine
catavino [ka-ta bee-no] .net a site dedicated to the wines of the Iberian Peninsula.

This website is dedicated to collecting tasting notes and stories about the wines of the Iberian Peninsula.

The idea behind moving to Spain began August of 2004, when both Ryan and Gabriella, husband and wife duo, decided to buy a plane ticket to Spain. Now, there are some who may like to "plan" such an adventure, but these two like to live on the edge, daring to fly across the Atlantic to a country they had never seen, speaking a language neither had studied, and creating a life for themselves based on, well, chutzpah! With a few thousand in their back pocket, dollars mind you, Gabriella started teaching English while Ryan scoured the streets for work in the wine trade. After months of coming up empty-handed, Ryan began Catavino in June of 2005 to merely record his frustrations. "For a country that has some of the most incredible and diverse wine in the world, why can't I find anything comprehensive to educate myself!" he would say.

And then came the lightbulb...

Now based in Barcelona, Spain, the two have founded a company that does just what Ryan begged for, a comprehensive website dedicated to Spanish and Portuguese wine. Catavino is home of not only talented employees but a community of people dedicated to helping the American public get a handle on what Iberian wine is all about. Together, they bring years of experience in the food and wine industry, a commitment to all things remotely related to sherry on a hot Mediterranean day, a passion for wine, and a general desire to constantly make work, well...fun - no doubt explaining their office filled with equipment used for videocasting, podcasting, photography and any other toy they can get their hands on.

Read more about us in our Interview with Tom Wark of Fermentation

Email us with any questions you might have: Comments at the site Catavino on the Net

Born in in 1975 in Minnesota, Ryan spent the majority of his childhood traveling the world. In 1998, he received his Bachelors of Arts from Moorhead State University in Sculpture and Painting. Shortly thereafter, he moved into the food and wine world whetr he was made Executive Chef of Lulu's Cafe located in Minnetonka, Minnesota. After a two year stint working as a chef, he decided that wine held a stronger passion altering his course to management. For three years, Ryan ran a wine shop with an incredibly large selection of wines from around the world. In 2005, he and his wife, Gabriella, decided to follow their dream and moved to Spain. While searching for a job working in a vineyard, he created this Website with the intention of helping others learn more about the amazing wines in Spain and Portugal. Contact Ryan

Food and wine fills the soul, unites people, and is one of most important aspects of Gabriella's life. Whether catering a gala event in Colorado, fashioning fusion burritos in Albuquerque, or managing boutique restaurants in Minneapolis, Gabriella has always been surrounded by unique cuisines. An educator by profession, she recently tucked away her books on pedagogy for books on the philosophy of wine, Spanish and Portuguese culture and internet marketing. Co-founder of Catavino, she serves as the chief editor, office manager, wine taster and perpetual student. Now living in Barcelona with her feisty cat Txarli and her husband Ryan, Gabriella can also be found traveling, running, reading, practicing yoga, and of course, enjoying fabulous meals paired with newly discovered Iberian wines. Contact Gabriella

Josh has been tracking down the highlights and basic ideas behind Spanish and Catalan cuisine and culture since he arrived in Barcelona in 2002. A longtime foodie and fanatic for international cuisine and wine, he admits that Spanish food is one of the big reasons that he decided to stay in Spain. Given the amazing array of seafood and quality produce available to restaurants and residents alike it comes as no surprise that Josh can go on for hours about the culinary delights you can find in Spanish kitchens and restaurants. Matched only by his love of cooking and eating is his interest in local cultural traditions, which are often intimately linked with some culinary tradition! As a contributor at Catavino Josh hopes to share some of the most interesting recipes, compelling stories and cultural tidbits he has come across over the last six years.

Janelle came to Spain from the US in the year 2000 with a desire to perfect her Spanish and learn about the Spanish culture from the inside. Still loving living in Madrid, she is an avid cook, enjoys the great variety of cuisines and wines available in Spain's distinct regions, and enjoys sharing her knowledge of Spain, its food, history and people with those wanting to discover it as well. She now works for a travel agency in Madrid and leads tapas tours on the side. In spare time, she does a bit of writing for her Spain focused blog Tapas Talk.