Cul Sec Alcohol-Free Wines: Complexity Without Compromise

A drinks party, a glass of fruit juice in your hand, everyone else around you holding wine. That scene now has a serious alternative. Cul Sec from de Fruitslagers is a Dutch alcohol-free that gets close to the complexity of a natural wine, minus the alcohol.

Regenerative roots

De Fruitslagers operate from their Roze Bunker (Pink Bunker). Beyond Cul Sec they make syrups, alcohol-free spirits and condiments. The angle goes further than drinks. They work with regenerative farmers who supply ingredients from ecosystems they build up rather than deplete. That choice gives every bottle a second layer of meaning alongside the flavour.

How it’s built

Dealcoholised wine loses flavour during alcohol removal. Cul Sec solves that differently: rather than stripping alcohol out, it builds complexity from scratch. The base is organic grape juice — Pecorino for the orange version, Sangiovese for the red — followed by water-based herb and botanical infusions.

From there, a slow fermentation with kombucha and kefir cultures. Finally, small amounts of tinctures kept just under 0.5 percent alcohol are added back, returning the volatile aromatic compounds usually carried by alcohol. Light carbonation keeps the palate alive.

In the glass

L’étable Fumé, the orange, stands out for its cloudy appearance and floating botanical particles. The nose offers dried herbs, white tea, and jasmine. On the palate, gentian bitterness, subtle pear, and herbal notes from luzerne and verveine. The light effervescence keeps the mouthfeel lively.

Rouge en Voiture, the red, brings smoke, hibiscus, and red berries on the nose. The remarkable part is the genuine tannin structure. That drying sensation you know from classic reds. Cacao, vanilla, and peppery spice add layers. Combined fermentation with kefir and kombucha builds a depth you rarely find in alcohol-free options.

With food

L’étable Fumé works as an aperitif. Rouge en Voiture holds its own against pasta or East Asian dishes. The structure is there, and restaurants are now using Cul Sec in their pairing menus alongside wine.

At around €15 per bottle, Cul Sec sits at a reasonable price point in a category where the choice usually stops at juice or soda water. For a mindful evening, or just a Tuesday, it’s something worth talking about.

More information: fruitslagers.nl/culsec