From Catalonia with Love: Cozy Wine Shop Opens in Riga with a Personal Touch

A new wine shop, “Raim Catalan Wines,” has opened in the Grīziņkalns neighborhood of Riga, based on a personal story. The owners, Nika and Oriols Bernads, discovered Catalan wine culture through Oriols’ heritage. The couple emphasizes that their goal is not to sell status symbols but artisanal wines that reflect the diversity of Catalonia’s regions.

The idea for the shop came in 2022 when both experienced a professional turning point. Nika, who previously led an IT startup, sold her company, and after a trip to Italy, they decided to start importing wines from Catalonia. They note that Catalan wines in Latvia are often presented as generic Spanish wines and are underrepresented.

The pair wants to pay special attention to Cava – a sparkling wine often regarded as second-rate. They aim to change this perception and show that quality Cava can be as refined as champagne.

Combining work at the shop with family life is not easy – their son Knuts was born four days before the shop’s opening. Nika admits that daily life runs on shifts, as they have no permanent outside help. However, motivation comes from belief in the project and the opportunity to personally meet winemakers in Catalonia, whose stories they can pass on to Latvian customers.