A Top Sommelier’s Year Without Wine Changed Everything
Friederike Duhme, a German sommelier and winner of Falstaff’s 2024 'Sommelier of the Year' award, made a bold decision in 2025. She committed to a full year without alcohol to confront her problematic drinking habits. The move marked a turning point in both her career and personal life.
Duhme had spent years immersed in wine, studying beverage technology and international wine business at Geisenheim University. But by 2025, she recognised the need for change. The first six months of abstinence left her feeling physically unwell, as alcohol had once been the glue holding her together.
Her professional world shifted too. Many in the industry distanced themselves, forcing her to redefine her role. During this time, she took charge of the beverage selection at Lara, a vegan restaurant in Vienna’s 1st district. There, she curated both the wine list and a growing range of non-alcoholic options.
Alongside her restaurant work, Duhme and her partner opened Kein & Low, a shop specialising in low- and no-alcohol drinks. The project reflected her evolving perspective on consumption. After 12 months without a single sip, she finally broke her fast on December 13, 2025, at Vienna’s Aend restaurant. The experience was deliberate—a step toward her goal of a more mindful, pleasurable relationship with wine.
Now, she limits herself to two glasses per evening. The discipline she developed during abstinence remains central to her approach.
Duhme’s year of abstinence reshaped her connection to alcohol and her career. She continues to balance wine expertise with a focus on non-alcoholic alternatives at Lara and Kein & Low. Her journey reflects a broader shift toward moderation in an industry long defined by excess.
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