Since 2005, Ryan and Gabriella Opaz have shared both their personal and heavily researched stories about Spain and Portugal. Ranging from jaw-dropping culinary experiences to simple off-the-beaten-track adventure stories in tiny Spanish towns, theres one element that has always remained consistent at Catavinos core outstanding food, wine and culture stories.
In 2013, Catavino moved its base from Barcelona to Porto, with the help of their dear friend Janelle Norman, to create a full service DMC Destination Management Company.
Today, Catavino helps people discover the hidden treasures of Portugal and Spain, through their custom designed tours and experiences specifically related to wine, food and culture. We
hope you like what you discover here, either as you browse our site or consider a vacation to our Iberian home.
Award-Winning Content about Spain and Portugal
Our core team is made up of passionate people whove not only traversed the globe, but whove sought out the very best flavors in route. From tiny grandmother kitchens tucked away in the
Spanish Pyrenees to haute cuisine in Michelin star restaurants of the Algarve, weve uncovered the very best for you.
Our core team is made up of passionate people whove not only traversed the globe, but whove sought out the very best flavors in route. From tiny grandmother kitchens tucked away in the
Spanish Pyrenees to haute cuisine in Michelin star restaurants of the Algarve, weve uncovered the very best for you.
Ryan Opaz
Born in Minnesota, Ryan is the co-founder and CEO of Catavino. Although a chef at heart, Ryans time is spent giving workshops and speeches internationally on social media and blogging for wineries. Examples of his work include Wine Future, London International Wine Fair, Essencia do Vinho, WBIS, Fine Wine, and many more. He currently lives in Porto, Portugal where he explores the country with his camera and family. Check out his photos.
Gabriella Opaz
Born and bred in Chicago, Gabriella is the co-founder and Editor-and-Chief of Catavino. As an award-winning speaker and writer, she uses stories to create a human connection between worlds that would otherwise never converge. Her recently published book, The Undiscovered Food Stories of Northern Portugal was inspired by the alluring grandmother stories inside Portos centenarian open-air market, Mercado Bolhao.
Accolades
Catavino, one of the most revered websites on
Iberian wine and gastronomy, left Barcelona to
settle in Porto, Portugal. The North American
couple, Ryan and Gabriella Opaz, created not only a
detailed map of the Port Wine Lodges, but an Iberian
focused travel agency committed to highlighting
the undiscovered cultural, vinous and gastronomic
treasures of Portugal.
According to Ryan Opaz, a former Twin-Citian who with his wife, Gabriella, runs Catavino, a Porto-basedc ompany catavino.net that organizes food, wine and
culture based tours in Portugal and Spain.
Most people are afraid they wont like it sic Port Wine
because its sweet, he said. Turns out balance is what
makes Port great, and the diversity. To say I like Port
wine is to leave me guessing as to what you mean.
Sweeter Drier Red fruits Caramel.
Decanter Magazines Annual Power List includes
Ryan Opaz as the one to watch in the wine industry.
The ever-ascending local craft-beer movement did
not put a dent in wine sales or interest. Minnesotas
own Ryan Opaz, now a Spain-based, world-renowned
blogger, has an interesting take The intense ardor for
not only beer and wine but also distinctive coffees,
teas and craft cocktails are parallel tracks with the
same destination.
In 2005, Ryan Opaz and his wife Gabriella eager to
use her English qualifications decided to move to
Barcelona. While Gabriella was working, Ryan caught
buses around the Iberian Peninsula, knocking on
winery doors and offering his services as someone
with a lot of knowledge of wine and the American
market. It was a thankless task.Partly out of
frustration, Ryan Opaz and Gabriella an award-
winning speaker and accomplished writer created a
food and wine focused blog called Catavino, focusing
on Spain and Portugal. Blog growth had been rapid in
the US, but in Europe, the Opazes were pioneers.
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