Meet RUTH DE ANDRES | WINEMAKER CONSULTANT

We had the good fortune of connecting with RUTH DE ANDRES and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi RUTH, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I saw a problem, for many wineries in Spain, and I thought about how to solve that problem. I realized these companies were struggling and failing in the same approach to the problem and they couldn’t find a solution. It was frustrating for them and most of them resigned. I thought that was a pity because export markets can be very profitable and then selling abroad can be fascinating. So taking such a tough decision, that is just selling regionally or nationally, I thought it was a huge mistake for many of these companies. But at the same time I understood it was very difficult for them to accomplish a project like world size (literally) without a guide. From scratch. I had experienced in that and I realized I can help them. I realized my knowledge and my own expertise can be very helpful for all these people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am a chemist and a winemaker. I have a technical background and, my initial idea was thinking about working as a technician. I didn’t think about being an entrepreneur and creating a company. But elaborating amazing wines in a pleasant winery in the middle of a beautiful area! However, at a certain point of my career, I discovered wine business from a sales and marketing perspective and I loved it. Then I saw that many small, boutique wineries elaborating super quality wines, that they were not able to sell abroad. I had been working in a big winery in marketing and sales department, so I adapt those methods and strategies to these top quality but small domains.

I work with my sister and we have an extraordinary relationship. I think that has been also key for the success of Aleavini. We have the same goal and the same purpose. The fact of growing up together in a strong family structure I think also has been important for Aleavini. We share values, and that’s very important. Even if we are very different and sometimes, we don’t agree, but it is not a problem. We deal constantly with this. On the contrary, it enriches the perspective. We always get a solution and probably that final solution is better than each separated initial solution we have thought individually.

Making Aleavini was not easy at the beginning. It took us time and effort and we dealt with a lot of frustration at the beginning. But we have been very constant and not focused in a short-term success, but always looking beyond. I am sure that has been also key.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Talking about wine regions, definitively, I will go to North West of Spain. Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra are astonishing landscape. Breathtaking places, magic. It is inaccesible and remote and very very isolated. But so peaceful and beautiful. Food is fantastic, people is genuine and wine… wine is amazing. I would recommend you Palacio de Canedo in Bierzo. A lovely farm estate, all organic, not just grapes, but also pepper, cherries, apples… all super good quality. They make their own jams and preserves (roasted peppers are amazing). There is a charming old palace completely restored, that now is a boutique hotel and a restaurant. Food is spectacular and they are super kind. All in the middle of a mountainous area without pollution or traffic jam or too many tourists. The kind of place you would love to own and to live for ever.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband because he supports me and encourages me since the begining. He believed in myself more than me! I didn’t consider myself as an entrepreneur and he changed my mind about that. He convinced me I could do it. And also my mother. I have 2 kids and she has been so supportive all these years. From an emotional point of view, but also from logistic and organizational. She takes care of my kids when I was travelling and she does it so happy and so cheerful. She makes things so easy. She cooks for us when I was tired, she brings kids from activities… everything. And always available and always happy to do it. That also helps me a lot.

Website: www.aleavini.com www.deandressister.com

Instagram: aleavinispanishwines and deandressisters

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-de-andrés-de-prado-60983b22