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

Justin (and his wife Lucy) voted for sun and living with a move to Spain in 2005. Born in Zimbabwe in 1972, Justin reached Spain via Argentina, South Africa and after a fairly long stint in the UK. Wine was never far away: Hazy childhood memories of parents and grandparents quaffing Portuguese wines bought in Mozambique, growing up a bit and being allowed a glass of Argentine red reduced a peg or two with soda water and then moving onto South African wines as a university student. After years being daunted by the selection at his local UK wine shop Justin realized he didn't really know anything, so WSET courses culminating with the Advanced Certificate followed. Fortified and sweet wines are a passion, especially Sherry.

Edward Ragg is a wine consultant and educator based in Beijing, China. He is married to Fongyee Walker and together they run Beijing's first fully independent wine consultancy company, Dragon Phoenix Fine Wine Consulting, as well as writing the Dragon Phoenix Wine Blog and a monthly wine column for That's Beijing. Edward met Fongyee as a graduate student at Cambridge University and together they went on to be Captains of the Cambridge University Wine Tasting Team, then judges at the International Wine Challenge and Shanghai International Wine Challenge. Edward holds the WSET Advanced Certificate and Introductory Certificate form The Court of Master Sommeliers. Outside of wine, Ragg is a published poet and expert on the work of American poet Wallace Stevens.

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.

Andrea moved to Campo de Ourique, Lisbon, in early 2008, choosing to utilize one of the five languages she has taken great pride in mastering. 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 plans to use her love of culture, gastronomy and language to research the hidden recipes and wines of Portugal.

I was born in Argentina and grew up in Peru. I subsequently lived mainly in the UK and Spain. I got the wine bug doing post-graduate research in Barcelona in the mid-1980s. As a university lecturer in the UK, I set up my first university wine club in 1990. I then spent a second stint in Spain in the mid-90s, in the fascinating wine environment of the Canary Islands, which have more Denominaciones de Origen than any other area in Spain. Since 1995 I've been living in Valencia, working as a consultant in the book trade and writing about the wines of the Valencia region in www.winesofvalencia.com. I recently translated and published "Valencia Land of Wine: a winemaker's selection" by Joan C. Martín.

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.