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In Utrecht we got equipped for an unexpected turn in our careers.

Born on the back of a coaster

Grapedistrict literally came to life on the back of a coaster when Freek Padberg, Gijs Groenevelt and Joost Bockwinkel were enjoying a pleasant evening at the bar.

Entrepreneurs-to-be

All three of them had good jobs since graduating from Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. Freek and Gijs worked at the Heineken marketing department and Joost worked as region director at Dutch retail bank ING. Yet none of the alumni were able to resist their shared passion for wine. Well equipped with their law degrees, they decided to become entrepreneurs.

Taking the wine world by storm

Eight months later, the first Grapedistrict store opened in Amsterdam. With wines arranged in an innovative way by taste, rather than by grape or country of origin, the concept proved a success. Grapedistrict grew into a nationally well known brand with stores in all the major Dutch towns and cities.