Introducing the d.b winebag, a bag made of grapes from the wine industry

Lies Mertens got to know the Daniel & Bianka’s wines a few years back and has shared many beautiful evenings and nights in its company. When brainstorming for ambassadors for our first vegan bag made out of grape leftovers, Daniel & Bianka Schmitt were on our wish list. 

DANIEL & BIANKA 

Bianka & Daniel  are two winemakers from Germany. The couple met each other in 2012 when Bianka started her internship at the family wine business of Daniel’s parents. Today, the couple produces more than 150.000 bottles a year and they do so in a biodynamic and authentic way. 

 Not only do they make great wines, Daniel & Bianka have the strong need, just as our brand, to create sustainable, high-quality products and to share their experience with friends and family along the way. 

We believe we make a near ideal pairing. Our efforts so far have produced healthy vineyards and sustainable wines, and earned us many friends and companions new and old along the way. Our goal? To create grand wines as naturally as possible that embody the true balance between man and nature. Wines that reflect our personalities as well as our creativity. – Daniel & Bianka

Daniel & Bianka have a biodynamic approach to creating wine. This means that they treat their vineyard as a living and one solid ecosystem with each portion of the vineyard contributing to the next. The idea is to create a self-sustaining system where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are forbidden.

When we give mother nature as much freedom as possible to do things her way, she in turn gifts us with her very finest results, reinforcing the precious natural balance. – Daniel & Bianka

The Daniel & Bianka bag is perfect for people who love to live freely in life. The bag has enough space to fit your keys, wallet, a thin jacket and a wine (or water) bottle. Wearing it crossbody is the most functional and practical way because the bag will be close to you the whole time and also your hands will be free. Perfect for on the bike or while dancing at your favourite festival.  

MATERIAL

The story of the Daniel & Bianka bag all starts with the material. At Lies Mertens, we are always looking for and experimenting with innovative materials. When looking for a sustainable and circular alternative for leather we came across VEGEA, which is plant-based. The material is constructed using grape leftovers - the skin, the stalks and the seeds - from winemaking. If you would like to read more about the material, our sustainability expert and Friend of the Brand Laurens explains what VEGEA stands for and why it is an excellent alternative. 

DESIGN

The material  was used as an inspiration for the bag. As a wine enthusiast, it did not take long before it was decided to create a bag in the shape of a wine bottle. There were several experiments and try-outs to find the right shape, technique and size.