   |  Importers of Great ImportJune 5, 2008 at 12:10 am by john
Antonio Martinez, Founder, Antalva Imports
Importers of Great Import
If you happen to not just imbibe wine, but follow some of the happenings in the wine world either through wine magazines or wine blogs, you've probably run across articles about different importers. These maverick grape slingers are often the unsung heroes of your local wine store shelves, taking chances on previously unknown or unpopular varietals and grape growing regions all for the glory of our tastebuds. The best ones are driven by an unstoppable passion to deliver to your dinner table an unforgettable experience they had possibly hundreds of thousands of miles away in the dank basement of a three hundred year old winery. Their wiring doesn't allow them to sip, smile and move on. To them, a great wine stands up and demands to be shared with the rest of the world.
Every once in awhile, we're going to take the time to introduce you to some of these importers, beginning with Antonio Martinez, President and Founder of Antalva Imports. Antonio is a one man show....the same guy pouring the wine at our bar for us to taste, is just weeks later walking the vineyards of the wineries he repesents and looking for new ones. We know this because we often screw up and call his cell phone to order some wine finding out that it's the middle of the night where he is. Email..email...got to you remember to email.
Antalva Imports was founded in 2001, based on the idea of bringing premium Spanish wines to the American market. The philosophy of the company is to seek out small producers with a commitment to value as well as quality. Martinez has been in the California wine industry for over ten years. Born in Spain, Antonio has always had a desire to bring the culture and lifestyle of his country - expressed through its wine - to America. After years in the wine industry and numerous trips back to Spain, he recognized that many exceptional wines had yet to be discovered and enjoyed by the American public. Antonio joined his passion for Spanish wine with his desire to share his culture and created Antalva Imports. It's meeting and working with people like Antonio that continues to make us happy we dove head first into this business.
Here's a list of wines we carry from Antalva Imports:
Vina Santurnia Crianza Rioja 2004, Spain Vina Santurnia Riserva Rioja 2002, Spain (coming soon) Faristol Garnacha 2006, Terre de Alta, Spain Pago de Valdoneje Mencia 2005, Bierzo, Spain Coto de Hayas Garnacha Centenaria 2005, Campo de Borja, Spain Deobriga Crianza Rioja 2004, Spain Crucillon Tinto 2005, Spain Pago de los Capellanes Joven 2006, Ribera del Duero, Spain |
