We had the good fortune of connecting with David Hidalgo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi David, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My early age passion of being inside a warehouse surrounded by countless cases of wine from different terroirs of Spain, resulted in me owning a successful distribution company with a selective portfolio of premium wineries expanding their reach across the country. After years learning all about the wine business, the characteristics of the grapes base on the region and the different ways to elaborate wine maintaining its essences, I was tempted to follow another dream – sell my company to pursue my aviation interest by finishing a certification in USA. Up for more challenge I made the tough decision to stay in USA and opened an importing Spanish wine company that made me reconnect with wine lovers, and myself. With many years in the wine industry, you always enjoy what the past brings to the present – grapes fermented through time that delights today’s wine lovers. This is how we identified an opportunity to meet the present needs of a new type of demand, and with the right resources, we found the way to elaborate a distinctive product like Galea for the US market. These drinks crafted in Spain made with all natural organic products bottled to perfection was the piece of the Mediterranean many people wanted to experience from the comfort of their homes (specially when we launched right in the middle of the pandemic!).
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Finding ways to continue doing things right and evolving Galea with the market’s trends. Overseeing the production’s quality, strategizing the logistics, negotiating with distributors in different states, presenting the Galea to salesforce, opening retailers and engaging with clients is the core of what Galea has been doing in the last 2 years when we first opened a bottle in USA. Next year we will expand in other continents!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Good weather all year long, proximity to other states / countries and a multicultural environment, makes Miami a perfect destination. Having friends here is always a fantastic plan with many options. Starting the with a scenic run across the Venetian Causeway or South Beach boardwalk and finish it with a refreshing swim in the ocean to reenergize. Hydrate with a Galea Mimosa and try the Spanish tapas at Barceloneta. Drive around to check out what Wynwood’s diverse artists are exposing. Visit Rubell Museum and enjoy Leku’s cuisine with Galea sangrias. Jump into the trolley or metromover to sense Miami’s downtown life. Spot the sunset in oceanfront spots like Crazy about You to sip Galea drinks. Dance or learn to dance salsa in Calle 8. So many options for all styles and interests that there is no way a day in Miami is full of surprises and improvisation!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Those clients who took the chance to try something new and bought a Galea bottle, and because of them we now have a big family of Galea lovers!
Website: www.galeadrinks.com
Instagram: @galeadrinks
Facebook: galeadrinks