Two Galicians Honored as Ambassadors for Cardenal Mendoza

Born in La Coruña in the early 1970s, Julio M. Blanco and Frankie Gómez have built a solid professional career in Galicia. Julio, a graduate of ESIC, began his career in marketing and sales, working in sectors such as distribution,

automotive and banking. Frankie, for his part, spent more than fifteen years working in advertising as a creative, where he developed campaigns for renowned companies.

In the 2010s, both decided to make a radical change in their lives: Julio entered the gourmet world, traveling and training to open his own wine and spirits shop in La Coruña, while Frankie launched a tech startup. It was precisely at Julio’s shops where they first met, beginning a friendship that would, over time, grow stronger.

In 2016, Julio attended a party hosted by the Sánchez Romate winery at Vinoble as a guest. Amid flamenco and fortified wines, Javier Salas (from Romate) made him a peculiar recommendation: “You’re going to try something that will change your life: Cardenal Mendoza with Coca-Cola.” Impressed by the combination, Julio didn’t hesitate to share the experience with Frankie upon returning to La Coruña. Thus, this original blend became his personal trademark. Almacén Concept Store, Julio’s latest project, became the first wine bar in Galicia specializing in fortified wines, all from the Sánchez Romate winery. Its signature cocktail is the “España,” named after the term used to describe lockdown in some Latin American countries.

Their shared passion for wine, particularly for sherry, led them to train as sommeliers. Currently, they are active members of the Galician Sommelier Association, where Julio serves on the board and acts as the regional representative for the Paco y Lola winery. Frankie continues to work on his tech project and is about to launch micata.wine, a tasting app that promises to revolutionize the industry.

Thanks to their dedication and love for wine, Julio and Frankie have become the first to receive the Cardenal Mendoza Ambassador award from the Sánchez Romate winery, a recognition that honors their role as promoters of wine culture, carrying the Cardenal Mendoza tradition to new generations and corners of the world wherever they go.

Who would have imagined that these two friends, who choose bars based on whether they serve palo cortado and restaurants based on whether they have Cardenal Mendoza for long after-dinner conversations, would end up receiving this award?