CubaPLUS Magazine

Rodrigar is a Self-Employment project (TCP) whose principle is to produce artisanal wines, liqueurs, vinegars and honey derivatives with products that are clearly Cuban, with the aim of substituting imports and, therefore, avoiding the expenditure of foreign currency that the country needs so much.

In an exclusive interview with this magazine, Keiler Rodríguez Blanco, owner of Rodrigar, explained that the the project was born in the town of Tres Palmas, province of Sancti Spíritus in 2012, with the production of artisanal wines under the Gallego brand. Three years later, he added, we moved to the capital, specifically to the municipality of La Lisa, where we have the headquarters of Rodrigar, which is the registered brand since the 2022, as Gallego cannot be registered. “ We now produce a line of fine wines that include red, white and pink wines; the gastronomic vinegars, dry wine and a third that includes meads, those derived from bee honey,” he explained.

We also produce aperitifs, such as vermouths, and we are working on one that will be released to the market soon, made from tropical fruits that will be a 100 percent Cuban, with the objective of substituting imports, and that has the same quality as the Martinis, Cinzanos, and vermouths that are purchased in Europe. Later, he pointed out that they are currently also involved in preparing a line of fruity pineapple and orange wines, among others, always with the purpose of producing distinctly Cuban drinks.

For this producer, the most important thing, in addition to the production of Cuban products, we manage to grow more every day, which will ultimately contribute to the economic recovery of the country. Another important factor in Rodrigar's work is that they already have 7 products certified by the National Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology (INHEM), which speaks very well of the quality of the drinks it produces.

Currently, among its main clients are the Meliá las Antillas hotel in Varadero, the Sylvaín candy store chain in the capital, ARTEX and Caracol stores, among others. Finally, the president of the Havana Wine Club announced the good news of that very soon the residents of the capital will be able to taste Rodrigar's exquisite products, because a store will soon open in La Lisa municipality, while they can also be purchased at the decanter of the bar-restaurant “El Floridita”.