Criado Wines, a fine wine importer in Ireland. How did it started?
2018. Doing wine tasting in Bodega Monteviejo's restaurant, Clos de los Siete, Mendoza, Argentina.
It all began in 2018, during a wine tasting at Bodega Monteviejo's restaurant, nestled within the famed Clos de los Siete in Mendoza, Argentina. That moment ignited a journey I had never imagined. My name is Alvaro Criado, born in Godoy Cruz, Mendoza, Argentina, on the 23rd of September, 1992. I come from a family deeply rooted in both agriculture and entrepreneurship. My mother, Liliana Martinez, is an Agricultural Engineer with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. Her research focuses on the impact of global warming on vineyards, a topic close to my heart. My father, Manuel Criado, is a serial entrepreneur with a history of building businesses in the battery and electronics sectors. My roots run deep in two worlds: my paternal grandparents, immigrants from Salamanca, Spain, who arrived in Argentina in 1949, and my maternal grandparents, who owned vineyards and a winery in the fertile lands of Mendoza.
Alvaro and his family in the Napa Valley, California, United States.
Growing up in Mendoza, I was immersed in the world of wine from a young age. At 8, we moved to Lujan de Cuyo, a region famed for its Malbec. It was the perfect location—close to my school and my mother’s workplace, the National University of Cuyo, where she is a full professor in Plant Physiology. My childhood was steeped in vineyard life, yet as I neared the end of high school, I found myself drawn not to agriculture but to industrial engineering. My mother encouraged me to follow in her footsteps, but I was eager to blend business with engineering—a combination that I believed would help me forge my own entrepreneurial path.
Despite my studies in industrial engineering, I couldn't shake the allure of winemaking. During one of my courses, "Industries and Service," I found myself fascinated by the winemaking process. I began visiting wineries, eager to learn more. My mother and I would often engage in lively discussions—she would teach me the science behind the vineyards, and I would share my insights on the industrial side of the process. This shared passion led me to organize international conferences on grape growing and vineyards, solidifying my deep connection to the wine industry.
In 2014, life threw me a curveball. A serious illness forced me to reevaluate everything. It was a turning point, a moment that shifted my perspective on life. After recovering, I knew I wanted to travel and create opportunities for myself. My thesis on mobile canning lines for craft breweries reignited my entrepreneurial spirit, and I began dreaming of new possibilities while working at a local bakery to support myself.
The Andes Mountains, Mendoza, Argentina
After graduating, I sought work in Mendoza’s renowned wineries but found myself facing disappointment after disappointment. I came close—narrowing down to the final ten candidates for a job at Argentina’s largest wine exporter—but ultimately, I wasn’t selected. In hindsight, that rejection was a blessing in disguise. It pushed me toward something even greater.
In 2018, armed with my savings and a desire for adventure, I left Argentina for Ireland. I chose Ireland for its high quality of life, English-speaking culture, and the fact that I had a cousin living in Dublin at the time. It seemed like the perfect place to begin a new chapter.
My first job in Dublin was at the prestigious Shelbourne Hotel, where I did everything from vacuuming ballrooms to serving wine at elite corporate events. Later, I secured a role as an Industrial Engineer at Cartamundi, a Belgian gameboard manufacturer in Waterford. I spent a year optimizing operations and six months working in business development. But even in this corporate environment, my passion for wine never faded.
The year 2020, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, gave me time to reflect on my future. I knew I wanted to return to my roots and create something meaningful that combined my career, passions, and heritage. That’s when the idea for Criado Wines was born.
What started as a humble blog about Argentinian wine quickly evolved into something far greater. I poured my heart into the project, studying the market, completing my WSET Level 2 certification with merit, and importing wine from Argentina through Spain. By 2021, Criado Wines had grown into a fully-fledged business, complete with a new website showcasing a curated selection of wines from Mendoza’s most prestigious wineries.
It’s been an incredible journey, from the vineyards of Argentina to the streets of Dublin. And it’s only just the beginning.
The origins December 2020, in Stoneybatter, Dublin.
The story of Criado Wines started in December 2020, in the vibrant neighborhood of Stoneybatter, Dublin. It was here, in the heart of the city, that I first introduced my carefully selected Argentinian wines to the people of Ireland. One of my regular customers snapped a photo of me during those early days—a simple, yet significant moment that marked the start of something truly special.
Alvaro, captured by a regular customer. Dec 2020.
Criado Wines is more than just a business; it’s a reflection of my journey, my heritage, and my love for the art of winemaking. I invite you to join me in discovering the unique flavors, rich history, and vibrant culture that make Argentinian wines truly exceptional.
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