Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Gordon.
Hi Derek, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Botella Distribution Company came to be from my passion to travel. After many vacations to Europe, I was introduced to many small vineyard owners that eventually turned into friendship. These same friends allowed me to visit their vineyards and shared the history behind their estates – the wine, the grapes, the soil, the regions, their family, etc. While the wines were phenomenal, the stories behind each of them were the main driving force behind the creation of Botella Distribution Co. I wanted to continue to share the history of these vineyards and feel honored to be able to do so. Botella is based in Georgia and focuses on small, family-operated estates – estates that have been overshadowed for centuries. My mission for the company was not only share great, unique wine with the public but to also be a contributing piece in the stories these families have with their vineyards. I take pride in focusing on small, organic vineyards that are family ran and operated.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Unfortunately, I believe every business comes with its fair share of struggles and challenges. Being a small business creates limitations. Acquiring the necessary licensing for alcohol distribution is no easy task all the while launching the company. Being new to the industry required navigating the system precisely to be sure we followed all laws and regulations. We intended to launch originally in 2020, however due to COVID-19 we were not able to launch until the fall of 2021. Like much of the world is experiencing now, we are unfortunately experiencing some issues that are a chain effect of the pandemic. From logistic and transportation issues to inflation, etc. from around the globe. A small obstacle or challenge for a small business can be detrimental. Fortunately, we have been able to overcome the obstacles and challenges that we have been faces with, and we hope the same will be true for whatever the future may hold. We hope that the best is yet to come for Botella Distribution Co.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Botella Distribution Company?
Botella Distribution Company’s mission is to source and share hidden gems from the wine countryside of Europe. We aim to source our wines from small, organic, family-operated estates – where the wine production philosophy remains true to its traditional form. We are privileged to work with vineyard owners that have instilled faith and trust in us, all the while blessing our business with their brands and support. We believe the friendship bonds we have built with our vineyards set us apart from others in the industry and adds unique history and value to our company. We believe all of the wines we carry to be unique due to the story behind the product inside the bottle. We also believe our wines are not only of top quality but also extremely approachable for any variety of palate – from first-time wine tasters to the wine collectors. We have set out to bring Georgia the wines, harvesters, and producers that we believe in.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The wine industry over the next 5-10 years will have some changes. The impact of climate change has already began to change the industry with the emergence of new wine regions across the globe. I believe we will see more organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly approaches to the industry as well as with the vineyards. The younger generations will look for wine that is easy and approachable, all the while tasting desirable rather than settling for the popular brands and the well-known regions. I believe as time goes on that there will be more of a craft wine vibe. However, I hope that small estates will be able to become a more global player in the wine industry. I, personally, would love to see more wine shops that take an approach similar to that of a coffee shop – a place to grab a drink and relax to do work, read, socialize, etc.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@botelladist.com
- Website: https://www.botelladist.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/botelladistributioncompany?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/Botella-Distribution-Company-104498051511060/
