Our quality standards are
the foundation of our wine import
We collaborate with winemakers who practice honest agriculture, create wines that reflect the uniqueness of the grape, and make no compromises for commercial reasons. We don’t just sell bottles of wine. We also introduce you to the winemaker, their philosophy, and individuality. This way, you know exactly where your wine comes from and how it is made.
We source all our wines as locally as possible. Firstly, because there is sufficient quality available in Europe, and secondly, to keep transportation distances short. Fortunately, our winemakers collaborate easily, and as many transports as possible are shared.
A good price/quality ratio is a very important pillar. A wine for less than 10 euros cannot reasonably be good. On the other hand, a wine priced well above 50 euros is often not significantly better.
We believe it is important that everyone in this short chain enjoys a fair price.
For those who want to experience the stories firsthand, we offer wine tours. Visit farmers who make wine as it is meant to be. See with your own eyes where the grapes grow and how lovingly the wines are made. Taste them at the winemaker’s kitchen table, where the mother prepares a wonderful meal. These unforgettable tours in Europe will only deepen your love for wine. Or closer to home in our aperitif bar, where we regularly organize ‘Meet the Winemaker’. The winemaker visits us, and you can participate in a masterclass or enjoy a delightful winemaker’s lunch. Chris prepares dishes from the winemaker’s specific region, and the winemaker provides detailed insights about the wine in your glass and their methods.
We know each winemaker personally and work directly with them, which often leads to very special situations. The small scale of our winemakers means that when a wine is sold out, it is no longer available. Then we wait for a new vintage. It can also happen that a winemaker decides to skip a year because the harvest was of insufficient quality, and the search for another beautiful wine begins. LenselinQ’s task is to introduce you to a good alternative that matches your unique taste preferences.
Region: Piëmonte
Winery: Azienda Agricola Principiano di Giuseppe e Francesco
Collaboration: 2022
LenselinQ is located at Haagseveer 32-34 in Rotterdam-Centrum.
Reservations can be made via info@lenselinQ.nl or by phone at 06 11 17 59 49
Store opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 12:00 – 18:00
Thursday: 12:00 – 18:00
Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 14:00 – 18:00
Aperitif Bar opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 16:00 – 21:00
Friday: 16:00 – 21:00
Saturday: 14:00 – 21:00
Sunday: 14:00 – 18:00
Events
Want to organize a cozy drink or wine tasting? You can also do that at LenselinQ. In our homely atmosphere with delicious wines and beautiful snacks, we host tailor-made events for 12 to 50 people. Feel free to send an email to info@lenselinq.nl or call 06-11175949. Or just drop by, our enthusiastic team will be happy to tell you more about the possibilities.
© 2024 – LenselinQ – disclaimer
Region: Roero, Piemonte
Winery: Nino Costa
Collaboration: 2011
Alessandro has been at the helm of this winery since 2015. While his father Stefanino (Nino to those close to him) produced straightforward wines, his only son Alessandro took a completely different approach. He wanted his wines to speak the language of the region: characterful, energetic, and full of emotion. When you read this and taste his wines, you’re not just drinking the wine but also “Alessandro”. His wines are truly a reflection of his personality. Martijn is like family to the Costa family.
Region: Colli Orientali, Friuli
Winery: Cantarutti Alfieri
Collaboration: 2022
For Martijn, Antonella Cantarutti is his godmother of wine. Since 2012, Antonella has been supplying her wines to LenselinQ. She has trusted LenselinQ from the beginning. Like any business, there were periods, especially during COVID, where trust was tested, but Antonella always took care of LenselinQ. Her wines are now made by her son Rodolfo, an imposing figure who resembles Hagrid from Harry Potter. Grapes like Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, and Pocchettino are the pillars of this consistent winery. A fun fact is that since we’ve known Antonella, she always has a different hairstyle.
Region: Montepulciano, Toscane
Winery: Il Molinacchio
Collaboration: 2022
A young collaboration but one that feels like it’s been around for years because it fits so well. Located in the bustling town of Montepulciano, in the south of Tuscany. I met Alessandro by chance, and we hit it off immediately. What an energetic and passionate man he is! He has just started his new life as a winemaker. In his previous life, he sold Renault Twingos in large quantities, earning him the nickname the Twingo-man. His Il Molinacchio lies just outside the town, in the middle of the forest. Biodynamic farming is his religion, producing a small yield of no more than 17,000 bottles per year. By the way, Alessandro doesn’t drive a Twingo but a special Lancia Beta coupé.
Region: Valpolicella
Winery: Roccolo Callisto
Collaboration: 2023
About 5 km northwest of Verona, you will find the paradisiacal Parone. Idyllic, quiet, and Italy as you only know it from pictures. In this beautiful village in the Valpolicella region, you will find Roccolo Callisto. With vineyards farmed biodynamically, even the winery operates in this way. Exceptional and unique at the same time. There are only 4 wineries in this wine region that work in this way. Elia (31 years old) is a young wine artist who produces wines of very high quality with this method. Whether you taste his Valpolicella or his magnum opus, the Amarone, they are both world-class. Roccolo Callisto’s wines are elegant, feminine, and intense. Discover Elia’s magnificent wine style in our shop or wine bar.
Region: Piëmonte
Winery: Poderi Vaiot
Collaboration: 2022
Danielle Cassete is the neighbor of Allesandro Costa. You could describe him as a Rotterdammer in Piemonte: straightforward, with a roll-up-your-sleeves mentality. Danielle and his brother Franco truly come from a winemaking family. Behind their names, there is no title of engineer or doctor, only honorable words from fellow winemakers about their class wines. Both are self-taught and privileged to work and live on one of the oldest vineyards in the Roero.
They make famous Alta Langa wines (sparkling, made in the traditional way), as well as beautiful wines from authentic grape varieties such as Timorasso and Arneis. Their Roero, 100% Nebbiolo, is a refined wine with an unparalleled balance.
Region: Piëmonte
Winery: Azienda Agricola Principiano di Giuseppe e Francesco
Collaboration: 2022
Located in Monforte d’Alba, on the edge of Barolo. A charming winery. Until five years ago, Papa Giuseppe ran this winery almost entirely by himself. His only son, Francesco, was making his way in the tough business world of Milan, far removed from the family vineyards. But eight years ago, at the age of 72, Giuseppe called Francesco back. Papa couldn’t handle it anymore. Without hesitation, Francesco returned home, to the place where he had grown up. Now, as a self-taught winemaker, Francesco is making waves. Not with ambitious Barolos, but with elegant wines with fine curves. Honorable wines from Barbera, and he makes my favorite Dolcetto.
Region: Ardeche
Winery: Domaine Arsac
Collaboration: 2015
When we think of the Ardèche, we think of swimming paradises, the Pont du Gard, and campsites full of Dutch people. Not on vacation, but on a work visit at a fair in London, I came across the Arsac family winery. It was their first time showcasing their wines to a large (international) audience. After the first sip, I was hooked. Arsac’s wines excel in purity and individuality. The vineyards of Sebastien and his family are farmed biodynamically. Sebastien Arsac is a true craftsman. With his wines, Sebastien has put the Ardèche on the map. A fun fact is that besides being a winemaker, Sebastien is also a talented rugby player.
Region: Priorat
Winery: Hodgkinson
Collaboration: 2016
Caspar, Luca, and Davide: the three musketeers of Priorat. Brothers, each with a different background. In this rugged part of Spain just behind Tarragona lies their Mas del Habanero. The winemaking history of this Mas dates back to 1977 when their father Peter Hodgkinson laid the foundation for their success. Peter settled here in the mid-70s. He was a real hippie, the black sheep, banished by his English family, and settled in this part of Spain with a bag full of pounds. Here he planted the first Garnacha vines, which until 2010 were only for private use. Today, Hodgkinson is exemplary of what the region has to offer. Aging in amphorae, steel, and wooden barrels gives the wine the extra touch it deserves. Caspar, besides being a winemaker, is also a talented musician. He plays in various bands, with jazz being the predominant style.
Region: Tierra de Mallorca
Winery: Mortitx
Collaboration: 2023
A new winery from Mallorca, not a place you would quickly associate with special wines. I met the winemaker by chance, and after exchanging some words in my best Spanish, I was invited to taste his wines. After a hesitant “Si”, I followed him to his small stand at the fair. And here, the hesitation disappeared. Mateu’s enthusiasm combined with the excellent wines blew me away. All prejudices were dispelled, and I had to restrain myself from making a “Eureka” jump. Stunning white wines, crisp rosé, and beautifully layered red wines. Each one unique and beautiful in structure and flavor. Grape varieties like Giro Ros, Calet, and Malvasia.
Region: Krems
Winery: Josef Schmid
Collaboration: 2016
Josef (Peppi to those close to him) is an interesting person. His wines are crystal clear, often based on Grüner Veltliner, but Riesling and Zweigelt are also in his portfolio. Peppi is the 4th generation, and Josef Jr. is now knocking on the door. Junior is a Riesling enthusiast. His internships with various winemakers in Germany have paid off with great results. Josef has been the mayor of Stratzing, the village where his vineyards are, for 15 years in a row.
Region: Douro
Winery: Quinta do Cume
Collaboration: 2020
During one of my many travels, I struck up a conversation at Heathrow with a remarkable guest named John Rogerson. An upper-class Englishman based in Porto, he worked for the winery Cume, a small boutique winery located in the Douro Valley in Portugal, which I love so much.
A few weeks after returning to the Netherlands, I received a box of wines from Cume. I was surprised. I hadn’t asked for it and, to be honest, I had completely forgotten about it. After a week, when the wines had settled, my curiosity to taste them overcame me. It was like tasting from a treasure chest. Crystal clear, authentic with a beautiful twist. From single varietals to non-oak-dominated reserva wines, man, this is good. The next day, I flew to Porto and spent a wonderful time with John and his employer Claudia, the owner of this micro winery. John has since moved on (he now works for an Australian winery), and Claudia’s family, her son Freddie, is now the winemaker at this winery. Despite our short collaboration, Quinta do Cume is now an indispensable part of our assortment. LenselinQ has already undertaken two wine trips with customers to this Quinta.