Today we’d like to introduce you to Guillermo Nicosia.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Guillermo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2010, we had a dream, inspired by the vineyards and beautiful landscapes of Mendoza, Argentina. We asked ourselves what would happen if we fused the two pleasures we enjoy together-Wine and Chocolate. After two years of development in our own kitchen, we found the right wine filling that enabled us to make our dream came true. That is how the first wine-filled chocolate in the world was born. We started production in a one-bedroom apartment and soon, in 2014, we had to move to a larger space, our chocolate factory. The product was such a success and so appreciated by our customers that we were recognized in New York with two International Chocolate awards, both in 2016 and 2017. We are committed to creating new hand crafted products that surprise our customers with unique experiences. One of those is the well-known mini cakes with Malbec wine reduction filling. In 2018 my family and I moved to Houston and in 2019 we opened a Kiosk at the Galleria Mall. We ship to anywhere in the US. I’m trying to expand my business and we have plans to produce in Texas next year offering Texas wine chocolate combinations.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, it was not easy as we started in a one-bathroom apartment with only $2,000 to start the business. It was difficult going door to door looking for our first customer to introduce a new concept and a new product in the market.
We started over again in 2018 when we moved to the US but we had more experience behind us and knew the challenges we would face. I had to change all the packaging according to the FDA regulations. I made my first import on my own. Preparing the shipment with sensitivity to weather, custom processes, production planning, transit times, local and overseas regulations, is a major concern for chocolate. How do you store it to keep the product intact?
I have become an expert in logistics, production planning, delivery service, and customer service, as well as the marketing planner, business manager and more as an entrepreneur…haha.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with La Goulue Chocolatier – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are committed to create new products, hand-crafted that surprise our customers with unique experiences, as the well-known mini cakes and chocolates with wine reduction fillings.
We combine wine and chocolate together. We play with wine grapes, chocolate shapes and cocoa percentages. Always looking for unique experiences.
We combine Belgium chocolate and Argentinian wines.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are testing Texas and we would like to be based here. Next year we are planning to start producing here with Texas wines. The next step is to introduce the product in other states such as California, New York, Florida.
Pricing:
- The wine filled chocolate boxes cost $9.99
- The mini cakes filled with dulce de leche and Malbec wine reduction cost $13.5 you can order online. We have very good online deals.
Contact Info
- Address: The Galleria Mall, 5085 Westheimer rd, Houston, TX (2nd floor, between lululemun and H&M
- Website: www.lagoulue.us
- Phone: (832) 422 – 5005
- Email: info@lagoulue.us
- Instagram: @lagoulueusa
- Facebook: @lagoulueusa
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
