Düsseldorf, city of art, culture and wine. On the occasion of ProWein, the largest international wine fair, winegrowers from all over the world presented their news. The trends were eagerly observed, of which Zero, was one of the most significant. The Berlin start-up Kolonne Null has risen to become the best-known producer. Kolonne Null was founded almost five years ago and is run by Philipp Rößle. In a growing market, he focuses on quality as a differentiator. Kolonne Null uses only high-quality wines as a basis, which they first produce with their partner wineries and then dealcoholise.

But design and marketing also play a role. The founders don't want to be a "nice" brand, but want to show the message "alcohol-free" in a self-confident way. Design and art have always played a role in the life of founder Philip Rößle, who is also an artist himself. His Berlin studio was located in Kolonnenstraße, among other things the namesake for the brand.

29 May 2023

Interview Directory 

BUSINESS

Name: Philipp Rößle

Occupation: Entrepreneur, award-winning artist

Education: Berlin University of the Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Munich, Central Saint Martins College, London, Altrove Residency, San Martino

How do you like the fact that your company and you as a person are so much in the foreground here in Düsseldorf?

Super overwhelming. Our team of nine was tasting throughout. We realise that the theme is better accepted every year and that we have a high profile in the industry. Appreciation in the industry is very important to us because we see ourselves in a pioneering role in terms of quality. With our team around cellarmaster Felix Fischer, we control the entire value chain.

"It's a young growing market and there's a lot of room for everyone."

What is it like to suddenly stand on stage in the midst of established wineries. Is there envy or do people accept that you are an addition to the range?

I don't see it as competition because it's its own theme. Sales of alcoholic wine have been falling steadily for years, despite a brief high in Corona. The industry notices that the "non-alcoholic theme" is coming and certainly every vintner will also offer his own non-alcoholic wine in the next 10 years. We have a very good connection to the industry and are in close exchange. It is a young, growing market and offers a lot of room for everyone. Many people still don't know that non-alcoholic wine exists and how it is produced. You have to educate people and I am happy about everyone who helps to shape the topic.

We ourselves have chosen a special placement, which is characterised by high qualities and a transparent insight into the wine production and the cooperation with our partner vintners. The majority of the industry still places non-alcoholic beverages in the lower price segment.

"The art consists of clean work and high quality grape material."

Do you have your own patent for your production or do other winemakers also know how you make this wines?

The art consists of clean work and high quality grape material. We develop wines with alcohol together with our partner winemakers, with a view to ensuring that they taste great even after alcoholisation. Together with our winemaker partners, we develop wines only for dealcoholisation. 

Who is your target group? How many bottles will you produce this year and with which wine partners?

We have an incredibly diverse target group: from young to old, from country to metropolis. It's nice to see that non-alcoholic wine is becoming so relevant and that we are reaching so many people with our non-alcoholic wines. Before the harvest, we discuss with our partners which quantities and which wine will be grown. The rosé comes from Provence, the red wine from Spain or France, the Riesling comes from Germany.

"Art is still part of my life and my identity. Wine and branding also has a lot to do with art. "

You also have your own studio. Now you probably don't have time to paint anymore?

Art is still part of my life and my identity. Wine and branding also has a lot to do with art. The way we build our company and the products is done with a lot of dedication. We have a clear vision of the style of our wines and the taste, but also how we position ourselves as a brand. 

"We didn't want to be the nice brand that explains why non-alcoholic is ok, we wanted to show it confidently."

The design and the name are very distinctive.

Our design is multi-layered. I develop all our visual communication together with our creative director Matthias Neumann. Some people associate fashion brands or Berlin subculture with the brand. Every year we do a shoot. Initially inspired by the aesthetics of early equestrian events. We wanted to do something concise and not be the nice brand that explains why non-alcoholic is ok. We wanted to show it in a confident way.

The stand of Berlin start-up Kolonne Null at ProWein Düsseldorf,  ©Kolonne Null