Podcast to Post: ep#65 No compromise with ZENO alcohol-liberated wines
There's something rather special about watching a brand grow from its early days to becoming an internationally recognised name in the low/no drinks space. ZENO Wines is one such success story, and I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with co-founder David Hodgson to discuss their journey from concept to multi-award-winning alcohol-free wine producer.
A Personal Journey
Like many founders in this space, David's path to creating ZENO began with his own relationship with alcohol. After 25 years in the traditional wine trade, travelling the world with prestigious brands, he reached what he describes as a junction in both his personal life and career.
"I felt that alcohol was taking more than it was giving at that stage,"
David shared. This realisation led him to reassess his relationship with drinking, but as a wine professional, he found himself facing a significant challenge - what to drink instead?
The Research Phase
Being aware of the growing momentum in alcohol-free beers and watching spirits begin to catch up, David started researching the non-alc wine sector. But it proved challenging. Despite trying everything available, he couldn't find anything that matched the ritual and experience he'd come to love of wine drinking.
This gap in the market sparked an idea. Together with Will Willis, who would become ZENO's commercial director and co-founder, David began a three-year journey of research and development. Their mission? To create sophisticated alcohol-free wines without relying on sugar to fill the gaps in the palate; a common practice in many early alcohol-free wines that has sadly left consumers negatively pre-judging the category.
The Production Process
The team partnered with a family vineyard in Castile-La Mancha, Spain - an area chosen not just for its centuries of winemaking tradition but also for its leading position in EU sustainability practices. Working closely with the world's leading de-alcoholisation technology provider, BevZero, they focused on creating wines that could stand on their own merit.
"We're not trying to imitate any traditional wines," David emphasises. "Stop looking for alcohol. There are so many wonderful nuanced characters that you actually wouldn't get if it had alcohol in it."
The Range
ZENO's range has grown from its initial three offerings to now include five distinct wines:
- A Viura-based white wine with Sauvignon Blanc-like characteristics
- A Tempranillo-Cabernet blend red
- A sparkling Macabeo
- A still rosé made from Bobal
- A sparkling rosé blending Macabeo with a touch of Garnacha
Each wine is crafted with careful attention to detail, from vineyard management to the de-alcoholisation process to the final delivery.
What's Next?
ZENO continues to innovate, with exciting developments on the horizon, including:
- A new "serious" barrel-aged Tempranillo designed specifically for gastronomy
- The launch of their first canned products - starting with sparkling white and rosé
- Ongoing R&D projects with leading yeast producers to explore new fermentation techniques
- Expansion into new international markets
The Philosophy Behind the Name
The brand's name comes from the ancient Greek philosopher Zeno, whose four virtues - moderation, wisdom, justice, and courage - resonated with their approach to creating these wines. Their tagline,
"Happiness is a good flow of life," comes directly from Zeno's teachings.
Perhaps most fitting is another of Zeno's sayings that became their mantra during development: "The obstacle is the way." This stoic philosophy perfectly encapsulates their journey to creating sophisticated alcohol-free wines.
The ZENO range is available in selected Waitrose stores and through various online retailers, including Amazon*, Dry Drinker*, Wise Bartender*, The Alcohol-Free Co, Club Soda and increasingly in the on-trade sector.
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