At The Wine Studio, we love raising a glass with those who have made wine not just a profession, but a way of life. Luis Haxel, #WineStudent, is one of those passionate individuals who successfully redirected his path—from lawyer to wine distributor—to pursue what truly moves him: wine.
His project, Vigneron Select, is a Madrid-based distributor that brings to our glasses what often feels out of reach: artisanal wines from small producers, rich in authenticity and soul.
We sat down for a chat, wine in hand, to learn more about his vision of the wine world. Here’s the toast and a glimpse of a long, enriching conversation...
Luis, now from the other side of the counter, do you think wine would exist without the general public?
“Definitely not, and it would be a much sadder, duller world.”
Luis has no doubt: wine is meant to be shared. And while his project champions small, exclusive productions, it never loses sight of the casual drinker—the one who enjoys wine without pretensions, simply for the pleasure of it. Which brings us to one of the key questions: How do we bring people closer to wine?
“By making it less serious. More experiences, fewer technicalities. Let people taste and enjoy it, without the fear of ‘doing it wrong’. We’re on the right path, but there’s still a long way to go.”
That’s precisely the philosophy of Vigneron Select. Luis chooses wines that speak for themselves, that don’t require a degree to understand—but do require an open mind and a willingness to be surprised. So, what would you say are the essential characteristics of a successful wine?
“At Vignerons Select, we look for wines that respect their terroir—authentic, honest, balanced wines with a captivating story. And if they move you, even better.”
And that’s the secret: emotion. So how much do talent, vintage and experience really influence a wine?
“They say the best winemakers show their true worth in difficult vintages—though some vintages test even the most experienced.”
Many have said the same here. Now let’s get to your personal preference—or what we might expect from your portfolio: Super premium wine or high-volume wine?
“Nothing in wine is black and white. There’s a whole world of opportunities in between. Personally, I prefer small-producer wines that highlight the human touch.”
Here we find the essence of Vigneron Select once again. In an industry where volume often overshadows quality, Luis chooses to walk the other path—partnering with producers who treat every bottle as something truly unique. And what about bulk wine, Luis?
“It has its place, but I’ll always lean towards quality over quantity.”
And in your opinion, why don’t we open more magnums?
“Because we don’t always have an excuse to open them—but we definitely should.”
Speaking of opening, Luis also opens up a memory. What’s your first memory of wine?
“My father having wine with meals—something he rarely skipped.”
A tender image, reminding us how wine quietly enters our lives from a young age. Today, wine is a fuller business in every sense. Do you think there are too many winemakers chasing fame and recognition?
“Some, yes. But in the end, the wine speaks for them. If the wine isn’t good, fame doesn’t last.”
For an amateur, a #winestudent like you once were, just starting out—what’s essential to know about wine?
“The most important thing is to lose the fear, like I mentioned earlier, and to keep an open mind to try new things. And make mistakes along the way—and that’s okay. How many times have we chosen the wrong movie or dish at a restaurant?”
Simple wisdom, and applicable to everything. What book do you recommend?
“A beginner book I really enjoyed (and I tried many) was The Wine Bible. For more advanced reading, the Bullipedia volumes are the most comprehensive. And I 100% recommend the WSET courses you offer—perfect for anyone bitten by the wine bug. They helped me organize my thoughts and structure everything. Plus, there's a tasting component, which is a huge bonus. Wine education is reading, but it’s also tasting a lot (blind if possible!), visiting wineries, and more.”
We’ve got those—thanks for the tip! And outside of your own distribution, where do you buy wine? And what do you buy?
“At specialty shops, where I rely on the staff for advice. And a lot online too. I buy EVERYTHING :) But it comes in phases. I had a strong Jura and Burgundy phase, now I’m buying more Spanish wines again, and lots of Italian—especially from Piedmont.”
Luis is a winelover without borders—though he always comes home. Is there anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t covered yet?
“Well, just to thank you for helping me find my path and supporting me through my professional transition (from lawyer to distributor). And to encourage anyone reading this to pursue their dreams and their passion.”
Thank you, Luis, for reminding us that dreams, too, are served in a glass. And that behind every bottle you select at Vigneron Select, in some way, is the team that guided you on your journey to discover, feel, and toast for and through wine.
Thank you, Luis. We’ll see you soon in class. May this story inspire many more #WineStudents out there.
