Ole & Obrigado
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Olé & Obrigado represents a collection of fine wines crafted by family-owned wineries in Spain and Portugal. A collaboration among business partners Patrick Mata and Alberto Orte, Olé & Obrigado is a highly specialized wine import company offering the most comprehensive and well-curated collection of wines from the Iberian Peninsula available in the U.S.
Native Spaniards Patrick Mata and Alberto Orte founded Olé Imports in 1999 while in college. Both Patrick and Alberto come from families who have been making wine in Spain since the 1800s. The first wines Olé imported to the U.S. were from Alberto’s family in Montilla.
Today, Enologist Alberto Orte continues his family tradition by producing extraordinary wines in Spain that are included in the portfolio. Alberto is intent on rescuing nearly extinct grape varieties such as Tintilla and Vijiriega in the DO region of Cádiz in southwestern Andalucía, and elaborating wines of place. He also oversees the production of many other wines imported by Olé & Obrigado from Spain.
Patrick Mata, A Wine Enthusiast Tastemaker, Food & Wine Magazine Tastemaker and Wine Advocate Personality of the Year, was described by Robert Parker as “one of the most driven, passionate and talented young men in the wine world (8/2013)."
Social responsibility has been one of Olè & Obrigado's core values since the company was founded. They have raised nearly one million dollars for important causes through their Liquid Geography rosé, live and virtual events and other special campaigns. Taking care of the environment is also part of of their core values. In 2022, Olé & Obrigado became one of the first importers in the U.S. to be Certified Carbon Neutral.
Voted 2020 Wine Importer of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine
Jeff Siegel, The Advocate Magazines
"There are a couple of importers whose wines are so trustworthy that I will buy them regardless of what’s in the bottle. Kermit Lynch, of course, for French wine, and Olé Imports for Spanish wine. Mata’s and Orte’s passion for Spanish wine is famous, their palates are exceptional. Which is why I trust Olé implicitly."
Media Links
JamesSuckling.com: Kyle's Video Interview with Patrick Mata
Chicago Tribune: Wine Bottle's Back Label Reveals Much About Quality
Wine, Seriously Blog: Patrick Mata of Olé Imports and a Tasting of Rare Riojas
WineCurmudgeon.com: Patrick Mata, Olé Imports
Social Media Links
Instagram: @patrickmata1978, @albertoorte75, @ruiabecassis
