Oddbird: On a mission to change the norm

Oddbird is one of the worlds’ foremost producers of premium wines liberated from alcohol. But the company is also on a mission to change the norms and attitudes to alcohol, and to make non-alcoholic products the obvious choice for a healthy lifestyle.

Oddbird is on a mission to change the perception of non-alcoholic beverages – to transform and disrupt our drinking culture by crafting world-class beverages liberated from alcohol. “We produce quality beverages which are gently liberated from alcohol in order to preserve the full flavours of nature,” says Moa Gürbüzer, CEO. “But liberated from alcohol does not only mean its removal. It means liberation from the norm where alcohol forms an integral part of meeting and spending time together. Liberation means being able to choose with or without alcohol.”

The Swedish brand was founded in 2013 by Gürbüzer, a former family therapist and social worker. For two decades, she worked mainly with alcohol-related family issues and saw, first-hand, the detrimental effects of alcohol on our society. With Oddbird, Gürbüzer wants to change the alcohol norms and related behaviours.

Highly-praised sparkling and white wines

The premium non-alcoholic wines are traditionally crafted wines from Italy and France, matured for up to 12 months and then gently liberated from alcohol with a unique method that preserves the wines’ natural flavours and aromas. “We work in close collaboration with vineyards and winemakers, to develop wines of the highest quality and based on our values,” says Gürbüzer. “There are no added substances, artificial colours or aromas.”

Sweden’s first and only alcohol-free sparkling wine, Spumante, comes from the Italian province of Treviso, located in Veneto, commonly known as the Prosecco region. It is made with traditional methods and 100 per cent Glera grapes. Another popular product is Blanc de Blancs Organic, a sparkling Chardonnay wine, crisp and intricate with fresh tones of Granny Smith apples, honey and lime.

“We work with small vineyards on a collection of wines that goes under the name Low Intervention,” says Gürbüzer. “Everything in the wine comes from nature, nothing has been added.” An example is Low Intervention Organic White No2, a natural wine from northern Alsace. With a blend of the Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc and Riesling grapes, this is a floral and fruity wine with a lively complexity.

Breaking ground in red wine, liberated from alcohol

The interest in premium non-alcoholic wines has exploded globally, and Oddbird continues to be an innovation leader and educate future winemakers, sommeliers and chefs. The brand has its own research centre in Alsace, with a team of experts from France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Romania and beyond, currently working on creating the best red wine liberated from alcohol.

Thanks to groundbreaking techniques, Oddbird has already introduced two alcohol-free red wines to the market, GSM and Addiction, each offering a unique sensory experience, raising the bar for the category. “With these wines, we’re proud to show that alcohol-free doesn’t mean compromising on quality,” says Gürbüzer. “Each bottle is a step closer to redefining what red wine can be, without alcohol.”

GSM is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan, harvested in Saint-Chinian, France. With a harmonious balance of red and black fruits, mature spices, and a dry finish, this is an exceptional choice for any wine lover. And Addiction is a 100 per cent organic red wine from Ribera del Duero, Spain. Crafted using custom winemaking techniques, it delivers a full-bodied experience with rich tannins, vibrant fruits, minerality, and a subtle spice.

Oddbird has also released Orange, a limited-edition sparkling orange wine. Born from a collaboration of passionate winemakers and carefully harvested Pinot Gris, Muscat, Sylvaner and Gewürztraminer grapes, this wine is a symphony of flavours; juicy ripe peaches, zesty citrus, and floral jasmine and rose, complemented with touches of herbs and spices. New is also Presence, an elegant organic white wine made by blending unique grape varieties from Alsace.

Eliminating alcoholism by 2097

Long-term partners include the European Sensory Network and the Swedish Sensory Network, as well as wineries such as the family-owned Pépin in Alsace for developing wine targeted specifically for dealcoholizing, and Jacques Frelin Vignobles in Montpellier for possibilities for winemaking with Chardonnay.

In addition, Oddbird collaborates with several universities to provide inspirational talks and develop new products. Some examples are the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France and the University of Örebro in Sweden, where students can carry out research projects together with Oddbird.

“Our goal is to eliminate alcoholism by 2097, and we will continue to raise the bar by developing new premium products,” adds Gürbüzer. “So far, we have sold three million bottles, we collaborate with around one hundred vineyards, and we have our own research centre. And for every product sold, we’re actually doing something to change the norm.”

Moa Gürbüzer, CEO.

Web: oddbird.com
Instagram: @oddbird