ARENSBAK

ARENSBAK was founded by entrepreneur Christian Arensbak in 2020. The company traces its impetus, per its own account, to the lack of tasteful non-alcoholic wines available and the global rise of sober curiosity. Recipe development spanned more than two years, and a single bottle takes around six weeks to produce.^[1]

The business is registered as ARENSBAK ApS, a Danish company with CVR number 42816094, based in Copenhagen.^[2]

Christian Arensbak — Founder. Christian Arensbak, an entrepreneur, founded ARENSBAK in 2020.^[1]

Bram Kerkhof — Co-founder. Bram Kerkhof is a co-founder of ARENSBAK, a Gastro-physicist with a background from Restaurant Noma's fermentation lab.^[3]

Emilie Øst-Jacobsen — Sommelier. Emilie Øst-Jacobsen is ARENSBAK's sommelier and, per the producer, the architect behind the company's flavor composition. She trained at the Michelin-starred Kong Hans Kælder and Restaurant Alchemist.

ARENSBAK classifies its products as proxy wines — which the company describes as non-alcoholic, multi-layered compositions modelled on the experience of great wines without trying to copy or imitate them. All production processes are done by hand, including blending, stirring, tasting, and scenting.^[3],[4]

On sustainability, the company reports using deposit-return bottles in Denmark and employing logistics and transport modes that minimise CO2 emissions. Its packaging for 0.75cl bottles is FSC-certified.^[3]

ARENSBAK's lineup consists of four non-alcoholic proxies: White, Red, Rosé, and Effervescent. Each is classified by the producer as a wine proxy crafted for culinary pairing. All products contain no more than 0.5% residual alcohol, originating from fermentation.^[2],[3]

Second-fermentation botanicals. In the second fermentation, ARENSBAK infuses the kombucha with whole botanicals, varying by product. These include marigold flowers, gooseberries, lemon grass, juniper berries, sour cherries, and dried mushrooms.^[4]

Production standards. A bottle takes around six weeks to produce, and all production processes are carried out by hand. From December 2023, products carry a shelf life of three years from the production date; products produced before December 2023 have a one-year shelf life from the production date. All ARENSBAK proxy wines are vegan friendly, and the Red, Rosé and Effervescent are certified organic.^[3]

Nutrition. Per-100g nutritional values are published for the range.

• Red — 69 kJ/14 kcal, 0g fat, 2.4g carbohydrates (2.0g sugars), 0g protein, 0.01g salt
• White — 64 kJ/15 kcal, 0g fat, 2.9g carbohydrates (2.7g sugars), 0g protein, 0.01g salt
• Rosé — 64 kJ/15 kcal, 0g fat, 3.2g carbohydrates (3.1g sugars), 0g protein, 0.01g salt
• Effervescent — 65 kJ/15 kcal, 0g fat, 2.8g carbohydrates (2.7g sugars), 0g protein, 0.01g salt

Pairings. ARENSBAK publishes food pairing recipes, including pairings with Bresse Chicken, oysters with gooseberries, turbot with white asparagus, and Danish black lobster. The Rosé is paired with butter-poached Danish black lobster.^[5]

ARENSBAK has a collaboration with Stadil et Stadil.^[5]

At the World Alcohol-Free Awards 2024, ARENSBAK Effervescent won Gold, ARENSBAK Rosé won Silver, and ARENSBAK Red was Commended. ARENSBAK Effervescent was also named part of Vogue Magazine (NL)'s list of 17 stylish gifts under 50 euros.