Qurc – Walking the Sustainable Path with Cork and Grapes

Qurc – Walking the Sustainable Path with Cork and Grapes.

When it comes to cork and grapes, most people think of a wine bottle and a glass. But for Qurc, a young Dutch footwear brand founded by Farbod Sattarian and Thomas Bruinsma, these materials mean something else entirely. Qurc designs and produces sneakers made from cork and grape leather — two natural, renewable resources that give a second life to materials from winemaking and forestry.

It is a bold idea, and one that started with a simple question: what if cork and grapes could walk with us, not just be poured into a glass?

From Portugal to Amsterdam

The story of Qurc began in Portugal, a country with centuries of cork harvesting and shoemaking tradition. It was there that Sattarian and Bruinsma first came across cork’s wider potential. “We saw how cork was used in interiors, furniture, and design. But hardly anyone was experimenting with it in fashion — and almost never in shoes,” recalls Sattarian.

At the same time, they discovered another untapped opportunity: the waste from winemaking. Each harvest leaves behind grape skins, seeds, and stems. Much of it is discarded or underused, but Italian innovators had developed a way to turn this biomass into VEGEA™ grape leather — a durable, vegan alternative to leather.

For Qurc, the combination was perfect. “Shoes are something everyone uses daily,” says Sattarian. “By connecting them with cork and grapes, we bring a familiar product into a whole new dimension. It’s about showing that sustainable choices don’t have to compromise on style or quality.”

Materials with Meaning

What makes Qurc stand out is not only the design but also the transparency of its materials and process.

• Cork is harvested without damaging the tree — the bark regenerates every nine years. Qurc uses cork leather that is treated only with boiling water, no harsh chemicals. This makes it lightweight, water-resistant, breathable, and fully biodegradable. Cork, long associated with cork in winemaking, here takes on a new role beyond the bottle.

• Grape leather is derived from winemaking residues, processed into smooth, flexible sheets that replace animal or synthetic leathers. “We wanted to use what the wine industry leaves behind, and give it a second life. There’s something poetic about that,” Sattarian notes. It is a striking example of the circular economy in wine — waste becoming resource.
• Soles are made from around 70% recycled rubber, ensuring that the commitment to circularity runs through every part of the shoe.

Sattarian is clear: “Sustainability for us is not a label, it’s a starting point. Every material we choose must serve a purpose — both functionally and environmentally.”

Crafted in Portugal

Production takes place in a family-run workshop in Portugal, a deliberate choice to combine heritage and quality. “Portugal has the expertise in both shoemaking and cork, so it made sense to keep our production there,” Sattarian explains. “It also means we can oversee the process directly and ensure that everything is done to the standard we believe in.”

This close relationship with the workshop allows Qurc to maintain both craftsmanship and fair working conditions. It also ensures that sustainability does not stop at the material level but extends throughout the supply chain.

Designing for Everyday Use

While the story and the sustainability credentials are strong, Qurc knows that consumers ultimately buy shoes for how they look and feel. “If a shoe isn’t comfortable or stylish, people won’t wear it, no matter how sustainable it is,” says Sattarian.

That’s why Qurc invests heavily in design and fit. Models like the Grape Essential, the Fragment Low, and the Heritage line are deliberately clean and contemporary, appealing to consumers who want versatile sneakers that work in both casual and professional settings.

The price point is premium — reflecting the small-scale production and sustainable materials — but Qurc positions itself not as a luxury label, rather as a modern, responsible brand. In this sense, it joins a new generation of Amsterdam brands that balance sustainability with design.

Business to Consumer — and Beyond

Qurc’s appeal is not limited to individual customers. The brand has also worked with companies looking for innovative and sustainable gifts. “We once collaborated with an IT company that gave Qurc shoes as Christmas presents to their employees,” Sattarian shares. “They were really happy with it — it was something different, and it told a story.”

This shows the versatility of the concept: Qurc sneakers work both as a personal lifestyle choice and as a statement gift. It fits neatly into the growing interest in wine and lifestyle crossovers — where wine culture influences more than just what’s in the glass.

Challenges on the Road

Like every young brand, Qurc faces challenges. Scaling up production while staying true to its values is one. Convincing consumers that vegan materials can be as durable and stylish as leather is another.

“Some people still think of vegan leather as weak or temporary. Our task is to prove the opposite — through design, through performance, and by telling the story behind the materials,” Sattarian explains.

Price is also a consideration. Sustainable production in Europe comes at a higher cost, but Qurc believes there is a growing market for products that balance responsibility with design.

A Mission Beyond Shoes

For Sattarian, Qurc is more than a footwear company. It’s about changing perspectives. “We want to inspire people to think differently about what they wear and how it is made. Sustainability is often seen as a limitation, but for us, it’s a source of creativity.”

By turning waste into fashion, Qurc links the wine world to daily life in a new way. Each pair of shoes carries a narrative of cork forests, vineyards, and circular design — a reminder that wine sustainability can be both innovative and stylish.

Walking the Future

From its Amsterdam base, Qurc is gradually building international recognition, with stockists, online visibility, and collaborations. The ambition is clear: to grow, but without losing authenticity.

“I want someone in Tokyo or São Paulo to see our shoes and immediately understand what they stand for — that we can do better, that style and sustainability belong together,” says Sattarian.

For Dutch Wine Apprentice, Qurc is a fascinating example of how wine innovation can extend far beyond the glass. By turning cork and grapes into something you can wear every day, Qurc has found a way to connect heritage, design, and responsibility — one step at a time.

Closing Thoughts

The story of Qurc is one of courage and creativity: taking two materials that symbolize tradition — cork and grapes — and reimagining them for the future of fashion. In doing so, the brand challenges both consumers and the industry to reconsider what sustainability really means.

We thank Farbod Sattarian for sharing his time, insights, and vision with us. Qurc is still at the beginning of its journey, but its message is already clear: sustainability can be stylish, materials can be meaningful, and the wine world can inspire innovation in unexpected ways.

As a special gesture to our readers, Qurc is offering an exclusive 20% discount on their collection. Simply use the code DWA at checkout in their webshop to experience these unique sneakers for yourself.

This article is written by our own Niels Aarts. Qurc shoes (and more) are available through their webshop and selected partners.