LAST CALL
Alexandra Martin and Kevin Armata developers of ‘2020 Sucks’ wine
W
hen Alexandra Martin first met Kevin Armata at Piccolo’s on Shrewsbury Street, they struck up a conversation about their mutual love of wine. Both came from sales and marketing backgrounds and the pandemic had left their careers on pause. Armata told Martin about a friend who had recently founded his own wine and olive oil label, Manny Rovithis. That’s when Martin proposed a commemorative bottle for 2020, a year in which alcohol consumption has reached record highs. At home, she scoured the internet for a producer with the same idea but found that what she had in mind did not yet exist. They workshopped ideas that would toe the line of respect and satire before settling on the name: 2020 Sucks But at Least I Found a Great Wine. Mediterranean Wine Company launched the new brand in October, and consumers have embraced their apropos bottles by posting countless photos across social media.
And, Kevin, what is your connection to Central Mass? KA: I eat dinner there a lot! I really enjoy the community.
Where did you first meet Manny? KA: Selling appliances.
What is it called? KA: There are three distinct labels — Manny’s Three Faces, Arhorn, and 2020 Sucks But at Least I Found a Great Wine.
And he’s from Crete in Greece? KA: Yup.
Can you tell me about the profiles of your 2020 Sucks offerings? KA: We have a chardonnay, a cabernet and a merlot. And this week, we introduced a red blend.
What about you, Alexandra? How did you become involved in the wine business? AM: I lost my job due to COVID. I sold lighting for 17 years. I happened to meet Kevin at Piccolo’s and I told him, “I’ve been bored out of my mind, being locked up and unemployed.” Once we got talking, I thought, “I’d really like to help this guy out.” That’s how I began hanging out with these guys. It’s been a great ride.
If you’re not from the world of wine, how did you manage to launch your own brand? KA: I’m a marketing guy and I’ve known Manny for 45 years. When he asked for my help, I proceeded to learn the wine and olive oil business very quickly.
Have you ever visited? KA: Nope.
What does production look like from your end?
KA: As for the label, most likely, KA: We sell and market the wine to restaurants and package stores. yes. Understand, this wine is all of a week old. Where can we find it? Have you found any silver linAM: The idea for a fun label only came about a couple of weeks ago. ings to 2020? AM: I would say it has definitely I was thinking that there was no made me look at my life and it commemorative bottle for 2020. I looked online and I thought, “This has brought me closer to a lot of people. Just realizing, what’s most will be fun.” I mean, everybody important is family and friends. I at this point really needs a good hope the wine will bring everylaugh. Austin Liquors brought it one a good laugh and help them in right away. Colony Liquors has remember what we’ve all been also brought it in along with Dithrough this year. Vine Wine & Spirits in WestborKA: I second that. It has been a ough. It has already been really successful and people are contact- terrible year and we’ve all had to reshuffle our priorities, but a lot ing me from all over. of good can come out of it too. We’ve all had a chance to spend I have a feeling the legacy of more time with our families. Busi2020 will live on after the new nesses have learned to reinvent year, but can your wine label? themselves. We’ll take all of these I mean, will it still be available lessons with us for the rest of our in 2021? lives. AM: The wine itself will certainly – Sarah Connell Sanders be available.
23
How did the idea come about to develop your own wine label? KA: I was helping a gentleman named Manny Rovithis who has an award-winning olive oil imported from a village in Crete. He recently introduced wine from the same village. Like Alex, during COVID, I was looking for something to do until the world
goes back to normal. That’s how I got involved. I’ve been working to promote Manny’s wine.
WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM
How did you become invested in the Canal District? AM: It’s an organization that I joined five years ago, through people I met doing charity work. It’s obviously been a great success with the ballpark coming.
DYLAN AZARI
N O V E M B E R 5 - 11, 2020
What are your connections to Worcester? AM: I live in North Oxford, actually, but I volunteer for Veterans Inc. in Worcester and I’m also on the Canal District Alliance Board.
Kevin Armata and Alexandra Martin
