If you drive out of town on Graf-Adolf-Platz and head for the Unterbilk district, you will pass an old gas station shortly after Kirchplatz. It was one of the last free gas stations operating in the middle of Düsseldorf. And now it's a wine store. Michail Golzarandi (left) and Alexander Breivogel have poured their two greatest passions into a concept there: Trading wine and listening to music. Wein Force is, so to speak, a beverage store with an attached record player, on which the right sound is always playing. And it's the only wine drive-by in town. We talked to Michail Golzarandi about the old gas station, about red wine from Georgia, and indeed about Düsseldorf Altbier.

You turned an old gas station into a wine store? How did that happen?

We had the idea of our own wine shop for some time. We also had the concept of how it should work - more uncomplicated and yet competent, fast, no-frills, but with character and customer proximity. We simply lacked the location. For a very long time we were looking for just such a location, we looked at old gas stations, industrial and craft businesses, but never found the right one. As an old Unterbilker, I regularly passed by this gas station. When it was closed, we quickly talked to the owner of the house.

What is left of the gas station?

We have carefully tried to preserve the chabby chic exterior of the 50s gas station. The old cashier's store with its glass front is now the office, the tiled columns between which the gas pumps stood have been preserved, and the old lifting platform still stands in our current warehouse, converted into a sales counter.

"If everything is going to be dumb, at least have good wine."

You regularly post records on Instagram that you recommend to go with the wines. Which sound goes well with a Pinot Gris?

That can't be said in general terms; it depends on the mood and the Pinot Gris. During the rather gloomy mood in the winter lockdown, a different mood resonates both musically and in terms of wine than in sunny weather and a pleasant mood. Pinot Gris is on the one hand so different and diverse, on the other hand in the perception rather 'everybody's darling'.Currently we would rather put a good Pinot Gris something poppier to the side, which tastes of departure and love: Holly Johnson - love train. 

And with a red wine from Georgia, which you also offer?

Georgia and northern Iran are the cradle of viticulture. Wine was cultivated here even before there was anything about it in the Bible. Therefore, it was our duty to offer a Georgian wine, pressed from a grape that grows there. This is great wine history, so only great rock history fits to it: the Beatles - Back in the USSR. In the version of Billy Joel from the live album of concerts in the former USSR. 

What is the relationship between service station and online sales?

It is still the case that we sell more on site than online. Many customers want on-site advice and, if we are allowed again at some point, also to taste wine before they buy it.

"Wine is a big topic in Düsseldorf. There are many good merchants and also restaurateurs who offer really good wines."

Has buying behavior changed in the pandemic, are there suddenly different preferences?

Hardly. Some of our customers tend to buy and drink better wine because of the pandemic. According to the motto: If everything is stupid, then at least with good wine.

Who buys from you?

Before Corona, we mainly supplied the catering industry, and sales in the store went along with it. That has changed. We got our online store up and running in the pandemic and also gave our on-site sales a much bigger focus. In the meantime, a very nice and diverse audience from the neighborhood visits us.

How well is the Altbier city of Düsseldorf positioned in terms of wine?

Wine is a big topic in Düsseldorf. There are many good merchants and also restaurateurs who offer really good wines. That also shapes the people in the city. Then, with Prowein, the world's most important trade fair in this field holds court in Düsseldorf every year. This brings not only new impulses but also a lot of wine expertise to Düsseldorf.

What other wine stores can you particularly recommend? 

There are always well-functioning wine stores in the individual districts that also have their regular clientele and convey enthusiasm for wine with a lot of enthusiasm. The Eiskeller and concept Riesling are exciting concepts that fit well in Düsseldorf. It is a pity, for example, that the Private Wein Compilation in Pempelfort, run by Frank Schencking, has disappeared. Also such a well-functioning store in the neighborhood.   

You pay particular attention to sustainability. What does that mean in the wine trade?

We have also consciously sought organic certification as a retailer and try to screen our range with very many organic wines under the aspect of sustainability. We also select our winemakers with this in mind. For example, you will not find wines from overseas with us.

A real insider tip for suitable wine accompaniment?

There are, of course, countless combinations that go well. Currently, one of our favorites is actually Ingrid Groiss Grüner Veltliner in Schablau Reserve with asparagus.

How can one support you currently?

Drink a lot of wine and then stock up again with supplies from us. But even those who do not like wine, we are happy to advise and stock the wine cellar - because wine should always have in the house.  

Do you ever drink an Altbier?

The so-called counter beer knows almost every winemaker and wine merchant. After work done in the form of drinking wine, at some point you also need a counter beer. The one or other bottle of shortener can always be found in our fridge, but as long as it comes from one of the home breweries, there is nothing wrong with a good Alt.

Weinforce can be found at Elisabethstr. 89-93 or online .

Photos: © Wineforce