Schmidt Wine Shop

What Schmidt Wine Shop does

Weinladen Schmidt GmbH is a Berlin-based specialty wine retailer founded in 1964 by Edeltraud and Dietmar Schmidt through a take-over of the 'Likör- und Spirituosenfabrik Kutzner' on Sonnenallee in Berlin-Neukölln. Operating as a family-owned private limited company, the business runs six physical retail locations across Berlin neighborhoods (Charlottenburg, Hermsdorf, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg, Westend, and a sixth) and a proprietary e-commerce platform at shop.weinladen.com, serving both private consumers and the regional gastronomy sector. The curated portfolio covers approximately 900 wines from over 80 European winemakers, with bottle prices ranging from roughly €7 to €30+, supported by in-store expert consultation, a telephone advisory service, a cardless bonus loyalty program, home delivery (free above €125, otherwise €9.95), gift packaging, and equipment rental for private events.

The company complements its retail operations with an event ecosystem anchored by the annual VINTAGE wine fair (80+ winemakers, ~400 wines, relocated to the AXICA Congress Centre for the 2024 60th anniversary), the seasonal 'Purpur & Perlen' sparkling and red wine event, and recurring 'Spaß am Wein' beginner seminars. A closely associated hospitality channel is the Rutz restaurant and wine bar, co-founded in 2001 by managing director Carsten Schmidt and the late sommelier Lars Rutz, which has since grown into a three-Michelin-star family-run establishment and serves as a premium showcase for the wine portfolio. The company is certified as an EU organic operator (DE-ÖKO-037) and operates exclusively within Germany.

The underlying technology stack is conventional: a WordPress-based marketing site, the proprietary EUvino shop system for e-commerce and ticketing, MailChimp for the newsletter, Google Analytics, and Google Maps for the store locator. Payments are processed via PayPal and credit card. Distribution combines the six retail stores, the e-commerce storefront, dedicated B2B field-sales staff (in place since 1995) serving Berlin restaurants, hotels, and bars, and the Rutz venue. The company's GTM is a hybrid of direct-to-consumer physical retail, event-driven demand generation, and B2B wholesale — all built on long-term producer relationships (some 20-40 years old) and 60 years of accumulated brand equity in Berlin.

Name

Schmidt Wine Shop

Legal name

Weinladen Schmidt GmbH

Website

https://weinladen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Weinladen Schmidt is a Berlin-based family-owned specialty wine retailer founded in 1964, operating six neighborhood stores plus an online shop that sells a curated portfolio of approximately 900 wines from over 80 European winemakers to private consumers and the regional gastronomy sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Wine Retail

NAICS

Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Bars (CRANACAE), Fine Wine & Luxury Spirits Retail (CRANABAE)

Keywords

• Specialty wine retail
• Wine e-commerce
• Wine tasting events
• Fine wine distribution
• European wine portfolio

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Wine and beverage retail sales: Sale of wine and related beverages through six physical retail locations across Berlin and via the online shop (shop.weinladen.com). The company carries approximately 900 wines from European producers. Revenue is generated through per-bottle pricing, with wines ranging from budget to premium tiers.
2. Wine tasting seminars and events: Ticketed educational wine seminars (e.g., 'Spaß am Wein I' at €49/person) and hosted events such as the VINTAGE trade fair and 'Purpur & Perlen' tasting event. Tickets range from €15 (seminars) to €49 (wine courses), with discounts for loyalty program members.
3. Gastronomy / trade sales: Dedicated field sales staff service the local and regional gastronomy sector (restaurants, hotels, bars), supplying wines on a wholesale/revenue-share basis. The company notes this as a historically significant revenue stream alongside retail.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Weinladen Schmidt is a Berlin specialty wine retailer that sells a curated portfolio of approximately 900 wines from over 80 European winemakers through six physical stores across Berlin and a proprietary e-commerce platform. The business complements retail with educational wine seminars (Spaß am Wein), the annual VINTAGE wine fair, the seasonal Purpur & Perlen tasting event, a bonus customer loyalty program, delivery, gift services, and equipment rental for private events.

Product overview

Weinladen Schmidt is a Berlin-based specialty wine retailer operating six physical stores across the city alongside an e-commerce platform (shop.weinladen.com). The core offering is a curated portfolio of approximately 900 wines, primarily from German and other European producers, sold both in-store and online. The business complements its retail operations with a range of wine-focused experiences — including the Spaß am Wein beginner tasting seminar series, the annual Vintage wine trade fair (featuring over 80 winemakers), and the seasonal Purpur & Perlen red and sparkling wine event. Additional services include a bonus customer loyalty program, home delivery, gift packaging, telephone advisory, and equipment rental for private events. The company is also closely associated with the Michelin three-star restaurant Rutz, co-founded by Carsten Schmidt and the late sommelier Lars Rutz.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kolle: A modern wine bar and retail concept pioneered by the Prenzlauer Berg branch, combining wine sales with a delicatessen corner and on-site tap service.
• VinTage
• Purpur & Perlen

Products and services

• Weinladen Schmidt Online Shop (shop.weinladen.com) Proprietary e-commerce storefront offering the full curated wine range (~900 wines from 80+ European winemakers) with filtering by country, price, grape variety, and region, customer accounts, loyalty program integration, and event ticketing. Delivers across Germany with free shipping above €125 (incl. VAT) and a €9.95 flat rate below. Accepts Vorkasse, PayPal, and credit card.
• Weinladen Schmidt Berlin Retail Stores (6 Filialen) Network of six brick-and-mortar specialty wine stores across Berlin neighborhoods (Charlottenburg, Hermsdorf, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg, Westend, Lichterfelde West), each staffed by knowledgeable wine specialists offering in-store expert consultation, the curated wine portfolio, gift services, and event hosting. Several locations feature wine terraces and a delicatessen corner under the 'Kolle' concept.
• Spaß am Wein (Wine Tasting Seminar) Ticketed educational wine seminar series (e.g., 'Spaß am Wein I') for beginners and enthusiasts, held at the Berlin stores, including guided tastings of European wines, food pairings, and instruction in tasting technique and viticulture. Priced at €49/person with loyalty discounts.
• VINTAGE Annual Wine Trade Fair Annual flagship wine trade fair hosted at the AXICA Congress Center near Brandenburg Gate, featuring over 80 winemakers and approximately 400 wines, short seminars, themed wine trail tours, and a 10% fair discount on orders placed on the event day. Tickets priced at €29 (loyalty members), €34 (advance), and €39 (door), with entry fee refunded for orders over €500 placed on the fair day.
• Purpur & Perlen (Red & Sparkling Wine Event) Annual autumn/winter tasting event featuring over 100 sparkling wines and red wines from across Europe, hosted at Rutz Zollhaus in Berlin. Tiered pricing for loyalty customers, advance purchase, and day-of box office.
• Rutz Restaurant & Wine Bar Three-Michelin-star family-run restaurant and wine bar co-founded in 2001 by CEO Carsten Schmidt and sommelier Lars Rutz, serving as a premium hospitality showcase for the Weinladen Schmidt wine portfolio and a venue for themed tasting events such as Purpur & Perlen.
• Bonussystem (Cardless Loyalty Program) Free, cardless bonus customer program rewarding repeat purchases with exclusive advantages including discounted event and seminar tickets, preferential rates on selected products, and order-based event refunds.
• Lieferservice (Wine Delivery Service) Germany-wide home delivery service for online wine orders, integrated with the shop.weinladen.com storefront. Free shipping above €125; €9.95 flat rate below.
• Geschenkeservice (Wine Gift Service) Individual gift packaging and personalization options for wine purchases, available at the store locations for customers buying wines for gifting.
• Vermietung (Event Equipment Rental) Rental service for event equipment including glasses, parasols, tables, benches, and refrigerators, available to customers for private celebrations and events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60 years in business — one of Berlin's oldest and most established wine retailers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Weingut Wagner-Stempel (Rheinhessen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partnership began in 2010 at the Weinbörse in Mainz. After years of minimal Berlin presence, the winery experienced rapid expansion through Weinladen Schmidt. The 'Feldspat, Quarz und Glimmer' Chardonnay is an exclusive Jubiläum wine for the 60th anniversary.
• Weingut Siener (Pfalz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Over 15-year partnership. Peter Siener is known as the ambassador of Südpalz in the Weinladen Schmidt portfolio. Working organically since 2003 and certified FAIR'N GREEN, Siener's wines are almost exclusively spontaneously fermented and highly regarded.
• Kühling-Gillot & Battenfeld Spanier (Rheinhessen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Kühling-Gillot partnership since 2009 (25-year anniversary), Battenfeld Spanier since 2012. Both Carolin and H.O. Battenfeld-Spanier have a close personal relationship with the Schmidt family. The 'Leopold' Grüner Sylvaner is named after the families' son.
• Weingut Philipp Kuhn (Pfalz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200420-year partnership since 2004 when Dietmar Schmidt visited the young, award-winning Philipp Kuhn in Pfalz. The relationship began with a handshake deal after an extensive tasting. Philipp Kuhn is known for his Pinot Noir and complex single-vineyard wines. The Saint Laurent Reserve is a Weinladen Schmidt exclusive.
• Weingut Max Müller I (Franken)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200420-year partnership. Weinladen Schmidt was one of Max Müller I's first major wine merchant partners in Berlin. The partnership shaped the winery's quality orientation, and they share memories including the legendary 'Bottle-Party' at Rutz.
• Weingut Ansgar Clüsserath (Mosel)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Long-term partnership spanning multiple years. Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann now represents the winery, continuing the family tradition. The Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling is a signature Weinladen Schmidt selection.
• Rutz Restaurant & Wine BarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Co-founded by CEO Carsten Schmidt and sommelier Lars Rutz in 2001. Originally a wine bar with restaurant and wine sales, it has evolved into a three-Michelin-star family-run restaurant, representing the company's owned hospitality channel and a showcase for its portfolio.
• Weingut Hensel (Pfalz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Over 20-year partnership. Thomas Hensel was introduced by Lars Rutz to Carsten and Dietmar Schmidt. Hensel's Weine (including the Höhenflug Chardonnay) are flagship products in the portfolio. Joint projects include special bottlings and label designs.
• Weingut Aldinger (Württemberg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 199925-year partnership connecting two generations at both companies. Gert Aldinger and Dietmar Schmidt met at a VDP presentation in Dresden. Aldinger is recognized as Württemberg's leading winery, and their exclusive Fellbacher Lemberger Reserve is a signature Weinladen Schmidt exclusive wine.
• Weingut Familie Rauen (Mosel)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984One of the longest-standing partnerships, dating back to 1984 when Harald Rauen first reached out to Weinladen Schmidt. The Rauen family helped the Schmidts realize their dream of owning a vineyard on the Mosel, where the Weinladen team participates in grape harvests. A deep friendship and business relationship spanning over 40 years.
• 80+ European wineries (VINTAGE fair exhibitors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe annual VINTAGE fair brings together over 80 European winemakers and producers from Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and beyond. The fair serves as both a showcase and a relationship-building platform. Participating wineries include Weingut J.J. Adeneuer, Battenfeld-Spanier, Deutz, Vietti, J. Hofstätter, Graham's Port, and many others.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hawesko Holding: Hamburg-based, publicly listed German wine retailer and distributor with multiple brands including Hawesko, Jacques' and Vino. Overlaps in specialty wine retail but operates at national/international scale across retail, e-commerce, and wholesale.

Direct peers

• Jacques' Wein-Depot: Germany's largest specialty wine retail franchise chain with ~300+ stores nationwide, offering a curated multi-region portfolio plus tasting events. Directly comparable business model (multi-store wine retail with expertise focus) at significantly larger scale.
• Wine in Black: Berlin-based online wine retailer offering curated European wines, a subscription model, and Sommelier Box. Comparable in geographic base and premium positioning, but competes via a digital-first, recurring-revenue model that Schmidt does not yet operate.
• Pinard de Picard: Specialty German mail-order wine retailer focused on premium European wines and exclusive producer relationships. Comparable in curation-led, expertise-driven positioning and German-language D2C wine experience.
• Vicampo: German online wine marketplace aggregating hundreds of European wineries into a single discovery and purchase platform. Comparable on portfolio breadth and target customer (German wine enthusiasts), but operates as a marketplace without physical retail.
• WirWinzer: German wine marketplace connecting consumers directly with hundreds of wineries for discovery and purchase. Comparable in curation and producer-relationship focus, but bypasses the traditional retailer middleman.
• Wein & Vinos: Hamburg-based German specialty wine retailer focused on Spanish and Mediterranean wines with deep producer ties. Comparable in expertise-led curation and exclusive winery partnerships, but narrower geographic and varietal focus.

Regional players

• Rindchen's Weinkontor: Northern German family-run specialty wine retailer with multiple Hamburg-region stores, online shop, and tasting events. Comparable multi-channel wine specialist model but operates primarily outside Berlin.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Schmidt Wine Shop