PRODUCERS
Austria
France
Beaujolais
Champagne - Côte des Bar
Languedoc - Minervois
Italy
United States
California
Michigan
Washington
ABOUT
Volker Wine Co. was founded in 2018 with the goal of championing honest, visionary producers who believe in their wines and the great things that we can achieve together. After over 20 years of working harvests around the world and selling wine in New York City, Volker Donabaum—founder of Volker Wine Co.—settled in Houston, Texas with his family. His enduring friendships with winemakers from his harvest work at vineyards in Austria, California, France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Oregon, and Canada further motivate us to introduce these wines to an American audience, connecting friends with friends. These are authentic wines, and the relationship with the people behind each brand distills down into the core of what we do.
Volker grew up in and among the vines at his family’s estate in the Wachau, where his family has made wine for over 200 years. He enjoys seeking out new and innovative producers, and never turns down a good glass of bubbles.
PRESS & ACCOLADES
Volker Donabaum and wife, Sarah Donabaum, with their 11-month-old son, Theodor Donabaum, and family dog, Heidi / Sept 29, 2021 / Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
Meet Volker Donabaum, who is bringing tasty Austrian wines (and more) to Houston
Dale Robertson, correspondent for the Houston Chronicle, speaks to Volker about his journey to Houston and to growing his import company.
Volker Donabaum / Oct 15, 2016
Spitzer Winzer sells wines in New York
An Austrian news outlet highlights Volker’s sales prowess during his wine sales rep days in New York City.
Ivan and Dina Rapuzzi from Ronchi di Cialla / Dec 2020
Schioppettino Uncorked
Bringing a native Italian grape back from near extinction; a conversation with the Rapuzzi family of Ronchi di Cialla.
Yann Kebbi for The New York Times / Sept 13, 2021
Wine School: Through 3 Whites, the Art of Blending Wines
Ronchi di Cialla’s classic white blend, Ciallabianco, should be experienced by “every wine lover.”
The Rapuzzi family of Ronchi di Cialla
Ronchi di Cialla: The indomitable spirit of Friuli
Tasting history with Ivan and Pierpaolo Rapuzzi, and their mother, Dina, through back vintages of Ronchi di Cialla.
The SOMM Journal Oct/Nov 2015
Journaling along the Danube
American somms visit Austria with Volker as a host and guide.
Schioppettino grapes / Sept 21, 2020
Ronchi di Cialla: the search for time
A discussion of the biodiversity in the Friulian hills, especially considering the indigenous grapes cultivated and brought back from almost total eradication by the Rapuzzi family.