Israeli dealcoholization technology powers best non-alcoholic wine award in US competition

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFAUGUST 9, 2026 15:42Israeli-linked beverage technology has scored an international win after Austrian wine brand Zeronimo was named the best non-alcoholic wine in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.Zeronimo, produced by Austrian family winery Heribert Bayer, uses SOLOS technology from the Prodalim Group to remove alcohol from wine while preserving its aroma and flavor profile.The wine finished first in the USA TODAY competition after being nominated by a panel of wine and beverage experts and put to a public vote.Prodalim operates internationally in the beverage and natural-ingredients industry, with operations and offices spanning Israel, Europe, the United States, South America, and Asia. Its SOLOS division specializes in producing no- and low-alcohol beverages using dealcoholization and aroma-recovery technology. Prodalim lists Tel Aviv among its global locations.“The prestigious win in the United States is recognition of our vision of producing high-quality alcohol-free wines without compromising on quality,” Prodalim CEO Tzachi Barak said.Wine fermentors. (credit: Courtesy)“We invested significant technological resources and expertise in our production facilities to prove that it is possible to produce alcohol-free wine while preserving the original aromas of the wine,” he said. “Recognition from American consumers and experts is a source of great pride for Prodalim and an important step forward for the entire category.”Removing the alcohol without losing the wineOne of the challenges facing alcohol-free wine producers is removing ethanol without stripping away many of the volatile compounds responsible for a wine’s aroma and character.SOLOS combines dealcoholization with proprietary aroma-recovery technology designed to capture those compounds during processing and return them to the finished beverage. Prodalim says the process allows producers to retain more of the sensory profile of the original wine.Zeronimo’s wines begin with Austrian wines produced from grapes grown on vines between 50 and 90 years old, according to the company. Its range includes wines based on Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt grapes, as well as its Leonis Blend, which is made from a foundation wine that received a 98-point rating.The company says no artificial aromas are added to the Zeronimo wines during the process.Prodalim investing big in expanding non-alcoholic product offerings for international consumersThe award comes as Prodalim expands its alcohol-free operations internationally. SOLOS has established dealcoholization capabilities in Europe and the US, including a facility in Valencia, Spain, and operations in the American market. Prodalim announced in November 2025 that SOLOS had expanded into the US, describing it at the time as the division’s sixth global market.The expansion reflects growing beverage-industry investment in the no- and low-alcohol sector, where producers are increasingly attempting to offer products aimed at consumers who want the taste and complexity associated with wine without the alcohol.For Prodalim, Zeronimo’s first-place finish provides a high-profile test case for that strategy.“Partnerships like this demonstrate what is possible when exceptional winemaking and innovative technology come together,” SOLOS said following the award.Follow us on Google