British born and educated, Rafael joined the UK wine trade in 2000 but soon realized that he rather have a career closer to the vine. In 2001 he moved to Barcelona, began brokering a selection of estates and opened a tapas bar before establishing his first property, Bodegas Abanico in Rioja with his partner Nuria Altes. In addition to Creta, Rafael de Haan and Nuria Altes run Herencia-Altes in Terra Alta (Nuria?s place of origin), and partner with Eric Solomon to make Haza?a Vi?as Viejas in Rioja.