Cafe con Cognac
FRANCISCO TONARELY • Grand Brulot
WORK • Thursday Routine
FRANCISCO TONARELY • CEO and co-founder • Grand Brulot
Neighborhood you work & live in: Key Biscayne
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I wake up grateful for what makes every day special: family, health, friends, and a passion for what I do, even when it's tough. Grand Brulot is a beautiful mix of logistics, relationships, and creating opportunities for people to discover our cognac that’s blended with Ecuadoran 100-percent Robusta coffee beans. From the vineyards in France to bars and restaurants around the world, it's all about ensuring every detail, so our customers can savor the result.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today, I’ll be touching base with our supply chain management in Cognac, France. We need to make sure our paper labels are printed and review how purchases and sales are tracking. We’ll go over the plans to increase touch points across the U.S. in our 10 state region, as well as new programs in France across Paris, Bordeaux, and Lyon, and also, our accounts in London. We’ve recently established new accounts in Florida with Total Wine and Crown Wine & Spirits.
After checking in with our teams, I usually take my “Forrest Gump walk,” a 5.5- to 7.5-mile trek through Key Biscayne’s scenic routes, where I get some fresh air, clear my head and catch up on calls with colleagues or touch base with our more challenging partners. It’s a productive and peaceful break that helps me reset and decompress.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’m a big believer in enjoying the experiences around me, especially when it involves people I admire. Dining is about more than just the food; it’s about the connection, the atmosphere, and the stories shared. Today for lunch, I’ll either go to visit Xiomara at Portosole in Coral Gables, or Gerry at Smith & Wollensky in South Beach.
Later, I’ll meet friends and colleagues at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club for a Last Night in Paris cocktail, which is made with Grand Brulot, Bulleit, and a touch of banana liqueur; it’s delicious. Then we’ll head to Dōma in Wynwood, another favorite of mine.
Any weekend getaways?
We love New York; it’s my getaway. I’m usually there every week from Tuesday to Friday. It’s my battery charge, the perfect blend of business and pleasure. Everything revolves around all the things we enjoy, great restaurants, bars, shows, and sights.
What was your last great vacation?
My work takes me to beautiful vineyards in the Cognac region of France. It’s not just work; it’s a deep passion for the craft. To taste world-class Cognac while enjoying fresh oysters is a joy. After that, we’ll take a quick drive to Bordeaux for fine dining and wine.