Industry Oscar for the Cologne wine cellar, which has now been honoured with the coveted title of "Wine Retailer of the Year 2025". The prestigious prize is awarded annually by the trade magazine Weinwirtschaft. Andreas Brensing, managing director of Kölner Weinkeller, accepted the award on behalf of his 32-strong team at a gala in Deidesheim. This is not the first time that the Kölner Weinkeller has won this award - it won it back in 2011.
Atmospheric: Cologne's wine cellar with almost 4,000 wines from around 800 wineries.
In his laudatory speech, Vincent Meßmer from Weinwirtschaft praised the Cologne wine cellar as a "wine trade institution" with an exceptional range of almost 4,000 wines from around 800 wineries. He particularly emphasised the expertise of the team, which includes Sebastian Russold, winner of the 2020/21 Sommelier Trophy, and Noreen Rudolph, Sommelière of the Year 2011 according to Schlemmer Atlas. Because what sets the Cologne wine cellar apart from its competitors, beyond its exceptional range, is the expertise of its sommeliers. They impart know-how, provide expert advice and are the people to contact on all topics relating to wine and for special bouquets from the "treasure trove", emphasised Meßmer in his laudatory speech.
The title "Wine Merchant of the Year" is awarded once a year by a panel of experts who assess the merchants according to criteria such as authenticity, forward-looking concept and market relevance. Andreas Brensing was proud of the award, which is both recognition and an incentive for the team.
