We had the good fortune of connecting with Ace Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ace, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Don’t get complacent! Just cause things are going good doesn’t mean that can’t change. If you get over confident you develop a blind spot in your thinking and you can get careless in a hurry and forget to do the things that got you there. Don’t be that person!!!!

What should our readers know about your business?
Ojala Wines makes Sustainable Wines and now is a very exciting time to be in this sector in the wine industry, definitely the way of the future! Currently in production we have Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and White Zinfandel. All the grapes are sourced from small boutique family own vineyards in the Central Coast of California with 3 or 4 generations of wine makers. None of it has been easy in fact I’m pretty sure I’ve made just about every mistake you can possibly make in business ha ha ha. You overcome challenges buy figuring them out, working smarter and harder and in the process the skills you need to get you to the next level are learned and that’s where the magic happens. Improvise, Adapt and Overcome! The lessons continue to pour in!!! During the production of the final product the wine making process has taken in to consideration not only making great wine but the environment. Making sure future generations enjoy the wine drinking experience every thing from water conservation, energy efficiency, responsible pest control, vibrant business and communities, healthy soils, environmental stewardship and of course high quality grapes and wines are all taken into account so our customers can enjoy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Depends what you’re doing, Miami is obviously a party town. For dinner and wine without a doubt Anacapri in Pinecrest. Giuseppe runs his restaurant like a fine tuned machine and their Italian cuisine is one of the best around. If you are more into the bar hopping scene, let me just start off right now by saying the folks at Better Days in Brickell are the best crew in the business as far as partying and customer service. I always have a great time every time I go and have closed the place down with Will Thompson and the rest of the crew over there many times. Both places serve Ojala Wine too which is great!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Many people have helped me along the way and I am very grateful. Also those who laughed or didn’t think we’d last also inspired me so this shoutout is for them too, Cheers everyone!

Website: www.OjalaWine.com
Instagram: @Ojala_Wine
Linkedin: Ojala Wines
Twitter: @OjalaWine
Facebook: OjalaWine
Youtube: Ojala Wine

Image Credits
Photo of Bottles by: Dariel Linares

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.