About me – the Wine Grandad
My name is Wolfgang Dieckmann – born in 1957, a host, sommelier and someone who has been connected to wine both professionally and personally for many decades.
I grew up in East Westphalia, in a family-run hospitality business, practically behind the bar. I learnt early on what it means to welcome people, give them space and ensure they feel at home. Plenty of nature, several generations under one roof and the daily life of a guesthouse have shaped me.
My career path led me into the international hotel industry:
from the InterContinental Düsseldorf, through the pre-openings of new hotels, to more than twenty years as a hotel manager in various locations. And it was always about the same thing: creating an atmosphere, understanding processes, bringing people together.
At the same time, my passion for wine grew.
In the 1980s, I was one of the first German sommeliers, took part in national and international competitions, and deepened my knowledge of sensory analysis, provenance and style. This was followed by master’s examinations, numerous further training courses – and finally the return to wine as a profession of its own.
More than 10 years ago, in 2015, I founded VinoPlan – my wine event agency, which doesn’t stage enjoyment, but makes it possible.
Since 2020, I have also been a German Wine Professional, a distinction awarded by the German Wine Institute, which has given me a deep, comprehensive insight into German wine.
That’s how WeinOpa came to life.
Not as a brand in the traditional sense, but as an attitude: calm, open, welcoming.
I don’t explain wine in a patronising way. I guide people – with experience, a sense of calm and a genuine enjoyment of meeting others.
Today, I live and work in the Ahr Valley.
A region in transition, with a rich history, robust wines and a bright future.
When we meet – outdoors on a tasting walk or at an event – it’s not about technical terms, but about what lasts: moments, conversations and a good glass of wine at just the right time.