Innovative California vintner creates first alcohol free wine-infused soft seltzer!
For everyone who wishes they could enjoy the intensely-flavored grape varietals traditionally reserved for wine – but without the alcohol – we have some great news from Sonoma, California!
Sonoma Valley-based vintner Georgos Zanganas has launched H2O Sonoma Soft Seltzer, a luscious sparkling “alternative” beverage featuring 0.0% alcohol. H2O is the world’s first wine-infused no-alcohol refreshment – and it is already being raved about and blogged about everywhere. Best of all, H2O is thirst quenching, ultra-hydrating, yummy – and good for you!
“Fermentation in winemaking is what converts grapes to alcohol; in H2O the alcohol is gently removed from the wine and is blended with pure water and antioxidant Vitamin C; then we add extra potassium for superior hydrating benefits to make a super-delicious refreshment” Zanganas says. “Alcohol dehydrates you quickly and people everywhere needed an exceptional alternative to wine,” Zanganas continues. “We’ve created H2O for those who can’t drink for health reasons, athletes who wish to stay in top form, women who are pregnant, and for the many others who simply must reduce or eliminate their alcohol consumption.
Many of our customers are now blogging about their tremendous appreciation of H2O during recovery, too, and as part of their ongoing sober lifestyles.”
The idea came to Zanganas while he was pouring samples of his traditional wines at Whole Foods in 2020, chatting with customers. Some customers explained that what they really wanted was a high quality, alcohol-free, wine-themed alternative beverage they could drink anywhere, anytime – and especially at parties so that they could fit in, rather than feel singled out for avoiding alcohol.
“We were watching the boom in no-alcohol drinks, and low-alcohol drinks, as well as the rise in popularity of seltzers,” Zanganas says, “yet there was nothing – anywhere – available for people who love the incredible flavors of varietal wine grapes but don’t want the inherent issues of alcohol.”
“My team and I have been making great wine for decades, focusing on the subtle flavor nuances that make a wine truly exceptional,” Zanganas says. “It is the inclusion of these subtle flavor essences from our favorite wine grape varietals that makes H2O Sonoma Soft Seltzer so innovative and exciting.”
H2O is mineral-rich, sparkling water infused with dealcoholized premium wine made from 100-percent sustainably-farmed California varietal wine grapes, with natural flavor extracts and electrolytes added. “We also infuse H2O with key antioxidant vitamins and potassium and calcium, for nutritional and hydrational benefits,” Zanganas explains, adding, “We are not attempting to replace wine. H2O is a delicious, hydrating refreshment that pays homage to the incredible flavor profiles of some of our most cherished grape varietals here in California.” He also points out that studies have proven that wine grapes naturally contain powerful antioxidant health benefits.
“H2O provides the nuanced flavor of Sonoma, California fine wines, and yet it is also refreshing – it reminds you of wine, but H2O is light, effervescent, and hydrating,” says Zanganas, adding, “H2O is what to drink when you’re not drinking.”
Jenn Kautsch, founder of SoberSis, is a popular and respected leader and pioneer in the sober living community. “H2O Sonoma Soft Seltzer is such a delicious beautiful beverage to add to my alcohol-free fridge! I love it!” Kautsch says, continuing, “I love knowing that it’s made from premium wine grapes, but without the alcohol – and with nutritional benefits added. This is the perfect drink. H2O Soft Seltzer is what to drink when you’re not drinking!”
Ranae Dei, one of H2O’s many impassioned customers who is pregnant, recently commented, “Thank you for the H2O rosé; I’m sharing it with those who are not drinking alcohol and still wanting something fun to drink and celebrate.”
“Until now, nobody offered a refreshment like this in the wine world,” Zanganas says. “We love proving that great wines don’t need alcohol. H2O is a true testament to that.”
Zanganas is also proud of the extensive market research and science behind H2O. During the brand’s development, Zanganas enlisted professors at California Polytechnic University (in San Louis Obispo) to help him create an ideal nutritional formula so that H2O could provide enhanced nutritional and hydrational benefits. Zanganas also enlisted University experts to conduct market research. Find CalPoly’s H2O research here.
“Cal Poly’s peer-reviewed papers confirm the nutritional benefits of H2O – and show what we’ve already discovered, that the marketplace is ready and eager for H2O,” Zanganas says.
H2O is currently available in four varietals: Rosé, moscato, sauvignon blanc and Pinot Noir. H2O will release additional new varietals in 2022, including cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, and zinfandel. Zanganas recommends serving all varietals of H2O chilled.
“You might ask, why do we use grape varietals historically reserved for winemaking, instead of table grapes?” Zanganas suggests, answering, “Because the flavor profiles & the powerful antioxidants are far superior. Common table grape varietals are boring – they pale in comparison to the flavors of wine varietals. That’s why you don’t see Thompson Seedless wine. Or Concord grape wine! It would taste bland, and terribly boring. We feel that it’s never been fair to those who don’t drink alcohol that they don’t have access to enjoy the intense, sublime, concentrated flavors of the many unique varietals traditionally reserved for winemaking – incredible “nutritious” gifts from nature that we should all get to savor. We’re glad to help solve this, with H2O.”
H2O provides electrolytes, potassium, calcium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B12, with no gluten, no detectable sulfites, no added sugar, and no artificial sweeteners. A 16-ounce can of H2O – two generous servings – contains only 30 to 80 calories, depending on the grape varietal, and year-to-year vintage fluctuations.