Why RadGrapes?

RadGrapes was founded in February 2005 by two brothers, Marko and Nikola Radisic, based on a life long passion for handcrafted wines. The idea had been there for some time, but a wave of wine industry consolidation that started several years ago, finally forced our hand. We felt the frustration of so many smaller wineries and artisans from all over the world, that were growing tired of being ignored and underserved by distributors. At the same time we are fully aware that wineries that make great handcrafted wines, want to be able to show and sell their wines in certain markets, and especially so in New York, with its incredible restaurants, great fine wine shops and almost unlimited market potential.

That's where Rad Grapes comes in but first a little background and personal history on the Radisic brothers and how it all came about. Nick and Marko were both born in Belgrade, Serbia in 1966 and 1971 respectively. Our father, Srecko Radisic, was a professional soccer coach for 40 years, having coached professional teams in Yugoslavia, Spain, Portugal and Kuwait.We both went to English speaking schools everywhere we lived overseas. In the midst of all of this, we traveled to dozens of countries before either one of us ever turned 18. We are both multilingual, with perfect fluency in five languages. Talk about broadening your horizons!

The passion for great food and wine came from our parents and invariably because we grew up in countries around the Mediterranean where great food and wine are parts of family tradition and everyday life. Nick came to the US in 1984 to pursue the American Dream. He graduated from Hofstra University in 1990 with a BA in International Business. Marko followed suit in 1988, also going to Hofstra for several years, and then returning to Europe to finish his studies and get his BA in International Business in 1993, from the International University in Lisbon. Nick worked in the restaurant business all through college as a line cook, sous-chef, bartender and waiter while honing his wine skills and knowledge even further.

Marko has also had similar experience working in the restaurant business, but he also worked for AMRO Bank and Credit Lyonais as a foreign exchange trader for a total of four years. Nick started in the Wine business in 1990 working for Premier almost three years, Charmer for almost three and Lauber Imports for nine years. Marko worked for Lauber Imports for four years starting in 1997 and since then has ran his own Wine Importing business and helped run the Pelloneda Distributorship in NY over the last few years. Marko also owns a very successful restaurant, the Flirt Sushi Lounge in Allendale, NJ.

We are both only in our thirties and between the two of us we already have over 23 years of experience in the Wine business and over 12 years in the Restaurant business. Somehow by February 2005 everything came together. Market consolidation had exploded in the New York market, we were both tired of working for someone else and a multitude of small wineries were unhappy with their representation and unsure about their future in New York . It was immediately obvious to us that a void had been created in the New York market. Bingo! It was time for RadGrapes.

With over 23 years of successful wine experience in the New York Wine business between the two of us it was time to bring together all of our contacts, relationships and friendships, while giving small wineries that make quality handcrafted wines the chance to actually prosper in NY. We also realize that great wines come in all shapes, sizes and prices. As long as it is handcrafted, quality wine in the bottle that is fairly priced, it might find a home with Rad Grapes.

In November 2005, I bought my brother's half of RadGrapes to become sole owner.

Here's to the future. Cheers!

– Nick