The historian behind El Grifo volcanic wines

The curriculum of

is a journey that starts in London after studying History at the Complutense University of Madrid, passes through half of Europe, continues in America and Africa and since 2016 Lanzarote has been the cornerstone of her routine.

In between, she has experience in photovoltaics and for a few years in football, because she also takes time to organize the World Football Summit, the great international event of the football industry.

"I don't like wasting time," says this entrepreneur with a contagious laugh and clear speech that, in terms of conciliation, she punctures: "I make it fatal."

In these lines, her role as a director at

, prevails .

"I joined in 2016 out of moral and family obligation," she says.

Her father and her uncle -Fermín and Juan José Otamendi-, the owners, had asked her on several occasions and she considered that it was time to take a step forward.

"I came from the world of marketing and the business area."

Her challenge was to expand the market share in the Peninsula and also internationally.

He admits openly that he has learned a lot along the way and that the world of wine has hooked him.

"You enjoy every reference you make, with the pairings, with the people you meet in this world...".

Today they have 14 references in the market;

two are iconic,

and

, "it is our flagship".

60% of its production stays in the Canary Islands, 25% flies to the Peninsula and the remaining 15% is exported (mainly to Germany, Switzerland and Italy).

This year production has exceeded 300,000 bottles.

, in which women have played a key role.

Founded in 1775, it was not until 1882 when the Otamendi family acquired it.

Since then, different generations have kept their legacy in a museum that houses more than 500 unique pieces.

El Grifo wine, Saramago centenary edition.

The big names on the island, from César Manrique to José Saramago and José Hierro -they also have a library with 5,000 volumes on wine, agriculture and the Canary Islands that the latter inaugurated- established strong ties with the winery.

"César Manrique was a friend of my grandmother; he helped us create the brand image... he even made the labels for us. Whenever he exhibited his work outside the island, he brought wines from Lanzarote to make them known ".

Now that they are well known inside and outside the islands and beyond our borders, Marian seeks to enhance those attributes that have made their wines unique: they are different because of the volcanic land in which they are born, exclusive and of incredible quality.

"I would like to increase the value of the brand; take them to more premium points of sale and have a greater international presence," he reflects aloud.

And, with each step he takes, continue to grow personally and professionally hand in hand with his winery.

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