Andre Grech

Q: You wear three different hats – as a wine importer,
the owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a wine
bar. How do these businesses complement each other?
A: The three businesses complement each other
because they are all driven by the same passion for
wine. Mirachem has grown into a respected importer,
representing some of the world’s finest wineries and
bringing exceptional labels to Malta. Fernando has
evolved into a Michelin-starred restaurant, while Onella
has become a destination for wine lovers seeking a
relaxed yet refined experience. Our restaurants allow
us to showcase our wines in the best possible setting
and give us immediate insight into changing consumer
preferences and emerging trends. Together, they
represent different expressions of the same philosophy:
quality, authenticity and genuine hospitality.

Q: The wine world is constantly evolving. What trends
are you seeing in consumer preferences?
A: There will always be traditional wine drinkers who
remain loyal to familiar styles, but today’s consumers
are becoming increasingly curious and adventurous. We
are seeing growing demand for Italian wines, particularly
reds from Puglia and whites from Abruzzo and Campania.
While New World wines continue to have their place, many
wine lovers are rediscovering the elegance, diversity and
food-friendly character that have long made Italy and
France the benchmark for fine wine.

Q: Running a Michelin-starred restaurant requires
uncompromising standards. How do you balance
maintaining excellence while ensuring the business
remains commercially successful?
A: For us, excellence always comes first. There can be
no compromise when it comes to quality, consistency
or the guest experience, as these are the foundations
of any successful restaurant. Once those standards
are firmly established, the focus shifts to running the
business efficiently and sustainably. Commercial success
should never come at the expense of excellence; rather,
excellence is what creates loyalty, builds reputation and
ultimately ensures long-term success.

Q: Looking back on your entrepreneurial journey, what
has been your biggest challenge?
A: Without a doubt, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic
was the greatest challenge of our entrepreneurial journey.
It tested every aspect of our businesses and demanded
resilience, adaptability, and difficult decisions. On a
personal level, I continually strive to balance the demands
of business with spending time with the most important
people in my life. At the same time, we recognise that our
success depends on surrounding ourselves with the right
people, as every great business is built by a great team.