Interview with Jasmin Ohlendorf

Jasmin Ohlendorf, General Manager of Renthof Kassel

What makes wine so special to you?

To me, wine is far more than just a drink. Wine tells stories - of people, landscapes, traditions, craftsmanship and, sometimes, of entirely new ideas. That is precisely what fascinates me - and our guests too.

In the hospitality industry, there is another crucial aspect: wine brings people together. A good wine recommendation can transform an evening, allow a dish to be experienced in a completely different light, and spark conversation. I particularly like the fact that wine is both emotional and incredibly multifaceted. You could spend a lifetime exploring it and still discover something new time and time again.

What is your favourite European wine?

My current favourite wine is actually on our own wine list at the Renthof: a dry organic Grenache from the Reibold winery in the Palatinate.

What I particularly like about this wine is that, for me, it beautifully illustrates what wine can be all about: character, craftsmanship and, at the same time, uncomplicated enjoyment. And perhaps that’s also part of what makes it a favourite for me - that I not only enjoy drinking it myself but can recommend it to our guests with conviction.

That said, I expressly reserve the right to change my favourite wine from time to time. After all, that’s precisely the beauty of wine: there’s always something new to discover.

With so many European wine-growing regions, do you have a favourite?

I really don’t want to commit to just one wine region. For me, it’s precisely the differences that make European viticulture so fascinating. Soil, climate, grape variety and the winemakers’ individual styles ensure that every region tells its very own story.

At the Renthof, we predominantly source German wines because we are committed to a regional sourcing concept.

So, let’s take a look at the Moselle, for example: slate soils and Riesling are inextricably linked here. Or Burgundy, where limestone and marl-rich soils play a crucial role in shaping the character of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. And then there’s the Palatinate, which in turn offers an enormous variety of soils, grape varieties and wine styles - and which, incidentally, is also where my current favourite wine comes from.

It is precisely these differences that I find fascinating. For me, therefore, a wine region doesn’t necessarily have to be ‘the best’. A far more interesting question is: what makes this place, this soil and, ultimately, this wine so distinctive?

Which wine-growing region in Europe do you currently consider to be an insider’s tip or one on the rise?

If I had to name a European hidden gem today, I’d say Slovenia.

The country has an incredibly fascinating wine culture and combines very different climatic and geological conditions within a small area. I find the many regional and indigenous grape varieties particularly interesting.

That’s precisely where I see the opportunity. In the hospitality industry, we find that guests are curious and are certainly keen to try something new when we tell them the story behind it.

And perhaps that is exactly my definition of an insider tip: a wine that the guest doesn’t know at first but, after the first glass, is keen to discover more about.

You are the hotel manager at Renthof Kassel - what issues and challenges are you currently facing most in your day-to-day work?

The hotel and hospitality industry is going through an incredibly exciting, yet challenging, period. We’re focusing intensively on staff retention and health management, training, rising costs, sustainability, digitalisation and, of course, the changing expectations of our guests.

For me, one question keeps coming back to the fore: how do we manage to operate successfully from a business perspective whilst maintaining genuine hospitality?

Because, despite all the digital possibilities and necessary processes, there is one thing we must not forget: our industry thrives on people. Guests want to be seen, understood and delighted. And for that, we need staff who enjoy their work and can pass on this enthusiasm with passion.

To what extent can trade fairs such as EUROVINO offer solutions to these issues?

Trade fairs such as EUROVINO create something that is particularly valuable today: personal interaction.

They bring together producers, retailers and the hospitality sector, facilitating conversations for which there is often no time in day-to-day operations. We can discover new products, spot trends at an early stage and share experiences with one another.

For me, it’s not just about discovering a new wine. It’s about networking, knowledge and inspiration. A good trade fair should mean that I go home with fresh ideas and ask myself: Which of these can we implement in our own business?

The fair’s well-organised structure also enables small establishments like ours to find wines that suit us quickly and efficiently.

Let’s take the topic of staff from what’s been said: what advice would you give to those interested in the hospitality and catering sectors?

I would choose this sector again in a heartbeat: the hotel and catering industries are incredibly diverse. Hardly any two days are the same. We work with people, create experiences and get to be hosts. Young people, in particular, can take on responsibility very quickly and discover where their own strengths lie.

Of course, we as employers must also do our bit. Good leadership, appreciation, reliable scheduling, opportunities for development, modern working conditions and a training programme that takes young people seriously are, for me, crucial.

We need to show young people even more clearly just how much a training programme in the hospitality and catering sectors can offer them: interactions, creativity, responsibility, opportunities for development and an enormous variety of career paths - and a wide range of career opportunities worldwide.

You are now an advisory board member at EUROVINO yourself. What appeals to you about this role, and what aspects would you like to bring to the collaboration?

I was delighted to be asked to join the EUROVINO advisory board. I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to bring the perspective of the hospitality and catering sectors to the table.

I want to draw specifically on practical experience: what do catering businesses really need? How should wine lists evolve? Which products go down well with our guests? How do we present wine in a contemporary way without creating unnecessary reservations? And how can we inspire young staff to take an interest in wine and equip them with the necessary knowledge?

At the same time, I’m looking forward to learning myself. For me, an advisory board should not be a forum where everyone simply represents their own perspective. It becomes particularly valuable when different experiences come together and new ideas emerge from them.

Why is EUROVINO, as a trade fair format focusing on the German-speaking market, important for the industry?

Because it brings together producers and those who are ultimately very close to the guest - and therefore to the market.

For the hospitality sector in particular, it is important not just to talk about trends, but to understand what is actually in demand, which concepts work and how consumer behaviour is changing.

At the same time, a clear focus offers the opportunity to engage in more in-depth dialogue. For me, it’s not about being as big as possible or having as much as possible; it’s about relevance. When winegrowers, retailers, the hotel industry and the hospitality sector talk to one another on an equal footing, ultimately all sides benefit.

What is it that makes EUROVINO special for you personally?

For me, it’s above all the people, the encounters and the focus on what really matters.

I’d like to see a EUROVINO where you don’t just walk through the halls tasting as many wines as possible, but where genuine conversations take place. A trade fair where you discover new things, perhaps see familiar ones in a different light, and strike up conversations with people who are passionate about their product.

When I drive home after a trade fair with new contacts, new ideas and perhaps even the odd bottle of wine that makes me think straight away: ‘I’d like to show this to our guests’, then, for me, a trade fair has achieved exactly what it set out to do - and that is what EUROVINO has given me over the last few years. I’ve been there right from the start!

Photo Jasmin Ohlendorf by Mario Zgoll, image rights Jasmin Ohlendorf