Greater Groningen Area
To all the wines I've loved before..... From 1965 to 1989, I operated a wellness hotel and a renowned starred restaurant in Noordwijk aan Zee. Despite my success in these endeavors, my exceptional wine list and cellar truly distinguished me. Over the years, I had the opportunity to sample and evaluate thousands of wines from around the world and meet many talented individuals in the wine industry. This journey eventually led me to discover natural wines and grower Champagne, which had a profound and lasting impact on my palate. Today, with a focus on nature, I manage the wine business JUST ADD WINE. I handle mailings and offers, curate the wine selection, update the website, and refuse to sell a wine unless I believe it to be the best choice for myself and my customers. As a wine importer, I strive to gain expertise to provide sommeliers and chefs with the products they seek. I firmly believe in the value of my offerings and have the confidence to move on if others fail to recognize this. While some may view this mindset as arrogant, I see it as a display of confidence and conviction. I take pride in my commitment to finding the best wines and providing top-notch service. My passion lies in evaluating and selecting wines through a rigorous process of tasting, research, and consideration of their origins and production methods. I firmly believe that persistence, along with a distinctive product and service, will eventually win over wine enthusiasts. In the end, I am convinced that sticking to my principles and offering authentic, high-quality wines will prove to be the right choice. And I firmly believe that if you are fortunate enough to be unique, you should never change.
We specialize in selecting the most exhilarating wines crafted by unconventional winemakers who march to the beat of their drums. Our focus is on individualistic wines and visionary winemakers who create distinctive, soulful, and unconventional wines using methods such as hand-harvesting, foot-crushing, and fermenting with native yeast. We adamantly minimize the use of sulfur dioxide and avoid filtration and fining. Our wines are meticulously bottled by hand and sealed with a cork, crown cap, and wax capsule. The recent surge in organic wine production thrills us, and we are confident that more winemakers would embrace organic practices if they could produce high-quality wines. We are unequivocal in our commitment to educating our clients and advocating for the distinction between organic wine and wine made with organically grown grapes. With over 50 years of experience in wine education, we unwaveringly champion natural wines of the highest quality and strive to challenge prevailing misconceptions in the industry.
Writing columns and articles about wines for magazines and websites, maintaining contacts, supporting promotions, negotiating, and organizing wine tastings and masterclasses.
't Koetshuis - The Coach House - was a restaurant with a remarkable past, studded with famous names and moments of glory. The natural history of 't Koetshuis began in 1947, the year I was born. It was then that the legendary epicure Henri Frisch transformed 't Koetshuis into a restaurant that made a name for itself by representing the height of elegance and style. Many discriminating guests who appreciated gastronomy as a form of elegant lifestyle were able to confirm this for themselves. In 1988, the well-known Konijnenburg Family played a pivotal role in the renovation of 't Koetshuis, a testament to their commitment to preserving its legacy. In the year 1989, I was asked to set up my network there and bring back its high reputation.
My parents-in-law used to run a modest pension in the coastal town Noordwijk aan Zee, a few minutes walk from the beach. When my first husband showed more interest in the building trade than in restaurant management, I decided to go for it alone. In 1982, the restaurant boasted a Michelin Star, several luxury hotel rooms, and one of the most extensive wine lists in the country. In 1981, I received the Cep de Giscours, a prestigious Dutch Wine Award from HRH Prince Bernhard, for curating one of the best wine lists in the Netherlands. This award was a significant milestone in my career, recognizing my dedication and passion for wine. In 1987, I was honored with the American Wine Spectator's Grand Award at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, a global recognition for one of the best wine lists in the world. My influence was the driving force that helped all the Chefs I worked with maintain their Michelin stars until I left the restaurant and hotel in 1989.