About us
My name is Niels and I am the founder of Dutch Wine Apprentice. Coming from a country (the Netherlands) that is not exactly known for great wines I did not grow up with vineyards and grapes around me. My love and interest in wine came alive at a later age when I got introduced to fine dining, which led me to the discovery of all sorts of different wines. After a while my curiosity got the best of me and I have emerged myself in the topic of wine and winemaking, to find out how these differences come alive. I decided that I wanted to grow my wine knowledge, in order to better understand what sommeliers and wine sellers were talking about and to make more educated choices myself.
I spent hours with my nose in books and absorbing online content and decided to start my Instagram profile in 2020 (Dutch Wine Apprentice) to follow fellow wine lovers and share my learnings with others. After that I signed up for a wine course with the biggest wine educator in the world, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). I successfully completed the intermediate level; WSET 2 and am now continuing my education, preparing for the professional level; WSET 3.
In 2022 Dutch Wine Apprentice was expanded with a selection of wine writers. With our team we are now offering an even wider view on the world of wine.
The Team
Niels Aarts
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Starting with zero experience in wine Niels got fascinated by the world of wine in 2020, when he founded “Dutch Wine Apprentice”.
With a theoretical basis formed by WSET (2 & 3) he rapidly built one of the biggest wine platforms in the Netherlands, with an international focus.
His personal favorites come from Germany, South Africa, Spain and Italy but also the French classics have their place in his book.
Martin Bronkhorst
Partner Manager and Writer
Martin is a financial auditor, on his way to become a chartered accountant, but he is also the youngest WSET Diploma graduate in the Netherlands to date.
His passion for wine results in a never ending thirst to explore wine regions and wines. Amongst his personal favorites are German Riesling, Pinot Noir from around the world, Spanish Menica, and South African Elgin & Hemel-en-Aarde wines. Additionally he also fancies fortified and botrytized wines.
Martin can be found on Instagram und his profile martin.bronkhorst.
Nadine Massen
Partner Manager and Writer
Former Michelin rated sommelier Nadine works as a marketing communications manager now, responsible for hospitality tradeshows.
She completed WSET 2 and is currently studying for her WSET 3 exam.
She is a sucker for cool climate wines. Her favorites can be found in France (Champagne and Burgundy), Germany and Austria. As of late she has also built an increased interest in Eastern European wine countries.
Nadine can be found on Instagram under her profile Nadine Massen.
Hermen Jansen
Senior Writer
By day he works as a Legal Counsel and at night he becomes a Wine Advocate. Hermen is intrigued by the diversity of the wine world and has a passion for introducing good wine to others.
Certified SDEN 3 and WSET 3 his theoretical knowledge is certainly on par, but he is not likely to stop there.
Cool climate wines are his favorites, with France and Germany at the top of his list.
Hermen can be found on Instagram under his profile Origine Wijnen.
Inma Muñoz
Senior Writer
Kazumi Uejo
Senior Writer
Our Kazumi is a Japanese wine enthusiast and WSET Diploma (level 4) Graduate, her home is in the Netherlands now.
Her wine journey dates back to living in California through memorable wine trips. She has continued to travel to Tuscany, Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Melbourne, Santorini, and some in Germany.
Kazumi has enjoyed both DipWSET and her real journey, alongside her passion for writing the experiences.
Kazumi can be found on Instagram under her profile Kazuming Wine Food.
Jelena van Eerdenburg
Senior Writer
Jelena has a Masters in Law but about 10 years ago her life turned into a different direction. Wine became a significant part of her life.
She loves to read and write about wine and is currently studying WSET Diploma Course & Weinakademiker in Austria.
If you say Jelena you say Champagne, there is no wine without Champagne for her. Her thirst for Champagne has led to excellent knowledge of the best houses in Champagne.
Jelena can be found on Instagram under her profile Somm in the House.
Kirsten Andringa
Senior Writer
In 2008 Kirsten started her journey in wine, completing a Minor in Vinology during her time at university. Later on, she completed Dutch SDEN 3. She also worked for one of the biggest wine importers of the Netherlands.
Her favorite wine countries are Italy and France, with a big love for the Rhône region. Curious as she is Kirsten likes to discover lesser known grape varieties, such as her current favourite, Arneis from Piedmont Italy. Should you have any recommendations let her know!
Kirsten can be found on Instagram under her profile Côte Blonde.
Eline de Geus
Writer
Dutch and living in the South of the Netherlands our Eline has a background in marketing and a true passion for wine. Besides this she is a gifted photographer.
She completed the Dutch SDEN wine course as well as WSET 2. Her favorites can be found in the German Pfalz, France’s Burgundy and Champagne regions and Italy’s Piedmont.
Eline can be found on Instagram under her profile The Wine Atelier.
Judi Veldwijk
Writer
As an “International Hotel Management” graduate it was her school that made Judi’s interest in wine peak. She completed WSET 3 and has a never-ending hunger for wine knowledge, often looking at trends and innovative approaches in winemaking.
Besides her study she works in a restaurant. The world is her playground and she is not shy to use new ways to teach wine enthusiasts about wines.
Judi can be found on Instagram under her profile Judi Veldwijk.
Martijn Coenen
Writer
As a restaurant owner and wine lover Martijn is surrounded by wine for most of his life. After finishing his education in one of the Dutch hospitality schools he expanded his theoretical knowledge with Dutch SDEN 3 as well as WSET 2.
His big love, besides his family of course, must be Riesling. More specifically German Riesling.
Martijn can be found on Instagram under his profile Wijn met Martijn.
Michelle van de Vosse
Writer
For Michelle wine certainly is one of her big passions. She makes it her mission to teach others more about wine as well, in a very personal and understandable manner.
She has completed Dutch SDEN 3 and finished WSET 3. Her favorite wine regions can be found in Italy and France, but she is really open to learn more about New World wines and lesser known wine regions.
Michelle can be found on Instagram under her profile Mies’ Wine journal.
Benjamin Roelfs
Writer
Benjamin is a true Alsace lover. This region forms so much of his passion that you cannot have a conversation on wine with him without touching that topic. He works in a wine lab, testing wines and is also a wine writer, working on his first book on the Alsace. Besides this region he also has a particular interest in the German Ahr region and Austria.
As WSET 3 graduate he has written for multiple wine platforms such as Jancis Robinson, Falstaff, The Drinks Business and Academie du Vin. He also helps to keep the Old Vine register from Jancis Robinson up-to-date.
Benjamin can be found on Instagram under his profile Benjamin on Wine.
Louise Kleijweg
Writer
Over the past years Louise has traveled around the world as an international educator. While working and living in Italy she got intrigued by the world of wine, and all it had to offer. Consequently, she combined her love for travel and viticulture by exploring different wine regions in both the old and new world.
In 2018 Louise completed WSET 1 and 2 in Vietnam. Currently she is studying to complete WSET 3 in the United States, where she is diving deeper into the world of wine and excited about exploring the beautiful wine regions the United States have to offer.
Her favorite wine region is Central Otago in New Zealand, where her love for nature and wine meet.
Louise can be found on Instagram under her profile Wine Lover Abroad.
Jorick Wimmers
Writer
Starting his love for wine when living in New Zealand Jorick pursued his passion and built a vast understanding of the wine world as a whole. If he would have to choose a favorite it is however safe to say that Italy is his biggest love. This can be seen in the portfolio he carries as a wine importer.
Besides being a sommelier and importer, he completed a number of (inter)national wine courses, including Dutch SDEN and WSET (both level 3). He is also a certified gastronomical sommelier.
Jorick can be found on Instagram under his profile miocantinadelvino.
Barbora Peterikova
Writer
Born in Czechia Barbora set out to discover the world when she was 19 years old. The first stop on her wine journey brought her to Copenhagen, where she worked as a sommelier in an Italian restaurant. What followed was an immersive experience in Melbourne, Australia, where she got the best of the local wine culture. Eventually she landed in Amsterdam where she became head sommelier at Restaurant Wils, that received its first Michelin star within the first year after opening.
Besides her work as a sommelier she is currently studying to become a Master of Wine, a prestigious course that only few in the world successfully finish.
You can find Barbora on Instagram under her profile Barbora Peterikova.
Bo van Damme
Writer
Who says being a nurse and a wine enthusiast do not go well together? Bo proves otherwise.
In 2019, Bo started taking SDEN courses. After that, she switched to WSET3 and successfully completed it. Bo mainly focuses on hosting wine tastings at home, and she envisions running her own online wine shop in the future.
Her favorite wines come from Alto Adige: they are elegant with refreshing acidity, unique, and always have something new to discover. For her wines from this region have the full package.
You can find Bo on Instagram under her profile Babs en Wijn.
Marlon Rouw
Writer
While working in IT as a graduated Psychologist, Marlon followed her passion for wine and discovering new flavors. She completed WSET 2 & 3 after she fell in love with wine while studying in Strasbourg, France.
Marlon aims to inspire other wine lovers on Instagram, in articles and during wine tastings.
WSET 3 resulted in Marlon appreciating a great diversity of wines, regions, grape varieties and wine making techniques. However, personal favorites of hers are full bodied, buttery Chardonnay, floral Viognier, powerful Barolo and smokey Pinot Noir.
Marlon can be found on Instagram under her profile Wijnoloog.
Janne van Lieshout
Writer
Since her first sip of wine, Janne literally developed a taste for it. While working in restaurants and bars, she started her first wine course at 19 years old. Her love for this beautiful product grew, and she completed WSET3.
Consequently, she started her own wine business; now importing wine, running a webshop and educating people about wine. In September 2024, Janne will start the DipWSET and WeinAkademiker programs, to further teach and inspire others.
Janne can be found on Instagram under her profile sommeljane.
Liza Verbeek
Writer
Liza inherited her love for wine from her grandfather. He and the rest of her wine-loving-family made sure that she never stopped asking and discovering.
Recently wine study has taken up quite a bit of her time. In the meanwhile she is a WSET 2 and SDEN 3 graduate. Always thirsty for new wine knowledge she loves to be surprised by the elegance and stories behind wines.
Liza can be found on Instagram under her profile Delizious Wines.