About Vinovonk

Where Beverage & Culinary Stories Spark to Life

Wine, champagne, spirits, and innovative alcohol-free drinks aren’t just about what’s in the glass – they’re about the sparks of connection that ignite between people, places, stories, and the food we share. From my base in Amstelveen, Netherlands, I’ve dedicated myself to capturing these moments and sharing them with the Dutch culinary and beverage community.

My journey combines two worlds: by day, I work as an Innovation Designer at the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB), focusing on digital transformation. By passion, I’m a certified beverage expert, culinary journalist, and storyteller, holding WSET Level 3 and the prestigious CIVC Level 4 Champagne certifications. This unique blend of analytical thinking and creative storytelling allows me to bridge technical knowledge with engaging narratives that resonate with Dutch food and wine lovers.

Sparks by VinoVonk: Intimate Conversations

Through “Sparks by VinoVonk,” my video podcast series, I bring you face-to-face with the personalities shaping today’s beverage and culinary world. These 45-60 minute deep-dive conversations reveal the human stories behind the bottles – from Barolo producers like Enrico Rivetto to Dutch wine legends like Harold Hamersma, from innovative alcohol-free drink creators to champagne house chefs de cave like Benoit Gouez (Moët & Chandon).

Each episode sparks new perspectives on beverage culture, published bi-weekly every Thursday morning, perfectly timed for your weekend wine planning. The podcast complements my written work in prestigious Dutch publications, including The Story of My Wine, Anne-Wies, and Winelife.

Beyond Wine: A Broader Culinary Vision

While wine remains at the heart of what I do, my expertise extends across the full spectrum of beverage and culinary storytelling:

Beverages:

• Champagne – Having tasted and reviewed 41+ champagne houses at Le Tour de Champagne 2025, I bring deep specialist knowledge
• Spirits – Exploring the craft and stories behind distilled beverages
• Alcohol-Free Innovations – Documenting the exciting evolution of sophisticated non-alcoholic alternatives

Culinary Journalism:

• Restaurant Reviews – Evaluating dining experiences through the lens of both food and beverage
• Food & Wine Pairing (Wijn-Spijs) – Exploring how flavors complement and elevate each other
• Culinary Trends – Understanding what resonates with the Dutch gastronomic scene

My Values & Focus

Sustainability & Conscious Choices: I have a particular passion for organic and biodynamic wines and producers who prioritize environmental stewardship. I actively seek out and spotlight winemakers who work in harmony with nature.

Plant-Forward Cuisine: With a special focus on vegetarian and vegan food pairings, I explore how plant-based gastronomy opens new possibilities for beverage pairing. This isn’t just a trend – it’s a reflection of how modern Dutch dining culture is evolving.

Authenticity First: I only work with products, restaurants, and brands I genuinely believe in. My readers—75% of whom are Dutch food and wine enthusiasts—trust my judgment because they know I’m honest, even when that means being critical.

Dutch Market Expertise: With deep roots in the Netherlands’ culinary and beverage scene, I understand what works in this market. I speak the language, know the culture, and have built relationships with importers, restaurateurs, retailers, and fellow enthusiasts across the country.

Professional Quality: Whether crafting detailed tasting notes, reviewing a restaurant experience, producing video content, photographing dishes and bottles, or interviewing producers and chefs, I bring professional standards to every project. My background in innovation design ensures strategic thinking alongside creative execution.

What You’ll Find Here

At VinoVonk.com, my passion translates into:

• In-depth reviews – Honest assessments of wines, champagnes, spirits, and restaurants
• Video interviews – “Sparks by VinoVonk” brings you closer to industry personalities
• Food & wine pairing guides – Exploring how flavors work together
• Educational content – Making complex beverage and culinary knowledge accessible
• Personal stories – The human connections that make food and wine meaningful
• Dutch market insights – Local perspective on international trends
• Event coverage – From Great Greek Wines to Le Tour de Champagne
• Sustainable focus – Highlighting organic, biodynamic, and plant-forward dining

Recent Highlights

• 41+ Champagne Houses tasted and reviewed at Le Tour de Champagne 2025
• Interview with Benoit Gouez, Chef de Cave at Moët & Chandon
• Interview with Harold Hamersma, Dutch wine writing legend
• Great Greek Wines 2025 coverage and producer interviews
• Enrico Rivetto (Barolo) – intimate conversation on biodynamic winemaking
• Regular restaurant reviews and culinary coverage across Dutch media

Let’s Collaborate

Whether you’re a winery looking to reach the Dutch market, a restaurant seeking authentic coverage, an importer needing content, or a beverage innovator with a story to tell, I offer professional content creation services tailored to your needs:

• Professional food & beverage photography and videography
• Written reviews and articles (Dutch & English)
• Restaurant reviews and culinary features
• Podcast interviews on Sparks by VinoVonk
• Food & wine pairing content
• Social media content creation
• Complete content packages for product launches

Special interest in:

• Organic and biodynamic producers
• Vegetarian and vegan-friendly establishments
• Sustainable and innovative food & beverage concepts
• Lesser-known wine regions and hidden culinary gems

Ready to explore? Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive insights, follow “Sparks by VinoVonk” for intimate conversations with beverage and culinary personalities (new episodes every other Thursday), or let’s discuss how we can work together.

Jeroen Vonk
Wine Writer, Culinary Journalist & Podcast Host
WSET Level 3 | CIVC Level 4 Champagne
Based in Amstelveen, Netherlands