Tony D, The Wine Damager
Interview with our Brand Ambassador Tony D, aka the Wine Damager
Tony D, whose real name is Mohamed Ayad, shaped the hip hop landscape in the 2000s under the label Aggro Berlin. The passion for rap music it's has become a hobby for the Berlin native and his professional one Passion now extends to a new world: Wine. He completed his sommelier training with distinction in 2019. Two years later he opened his own wine shop “Wine Damager” on Brunnenstrasse in Berlin. In this interview he tells us how he found his way to Wine found and what excites him so much about this topic.
Many people know you as Tony D from your active music career. How did you find the way to Wine found?
I would say that one Wine found its way to me. In 2010 my girlfriend introduced me to the world of wine and enjoyment. After my active music career, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do or what would really excite me. At that time I worked in the catering industry and in 2017 I had my first job in the wine trade. During this time I have a lot on hand Wine learned, made close contacts with the wine scene and finally trained as a sommelier in 2019.
What inspired you to do this more about Wine to learn and open your own shop “Wine Damager”?
Everyone Wine has a story and some have the power to fascinate us from the first moment. Bordeaux wines in particular impress me with their complexity and depth. I prefer to drink Bordeaux from that Cocoon Bordeaux Goblet. This fascination piqued my curiosity. Wine it's such a diverse topic that never gets boring. I knew early on that I meant Passion for Wine and trade would like to combine. In 2021 I opened Wine Damager.
Your shop combines urban Berlin style in a unique atmosphere paired with your knowledge and experience from the wine world. What experience do you want to offer your customers when they enter your store?
I want to be a good host and make my customers happy Wine and bring enjoyment closer. Over the years I have built up a loyal base of regular customers, with familiar faces as well as new ones coming along all the time.
…but Wine Damager it's Not just this shop on Brunnenstrasse, right?
Wine Damager it's much more than just a shop. I also work intensively with the catering industry here in Berlin – be it selecting suitable wines for menus or for events. Over the years I have built a strong network of winemakers and my goal it's to represent them in the catering industry and make them better known. I also organize my own events, especially in the summer here in the store or as pop-up events together with friends and partners. I think it's nice to be involved in projects, to build something and at some point to reap the fruits of this work.
Discover Tony D's favorite glasses
What do you recommend to someone who... NEW in the world of wine it's?
Immerse yourself in the world of wine it's like learning to read. I always recommend starting with the best-known grape varieties such as Pinot Gris, Riesling, Silvaner or Pinot Noir to familiarize. For example, you can quickly tell whether you prefer wines with a lot or a little acid. Important it's, that you take the time to try out different wines. The path to your personal favorite wine it's individual – and that’s what makes it so exciting!
You lay bigen value biodynamic and natural wines. What it's important to you when selecting wines for your store?
When selecting wines, I prefer wines with a clear profile and tasty origins. I put it in my shop bigValue for diversity: In addition to biodynamic and natural wines, you can also find classics from Piedmont, Bordeaux or residual sweet wines from the Moselle. These wines bring a lot of history and tradition with them and form the essence of traditional wine knowledge. I am enthusiastic about winemakers who follow a clear philosophy and express this in their wines. In the end, my shelves only contain wines with character that are fun to drink. The wine glass it's essential for the flavor development of Wine. This is particularly good collection Cocoon from Stölzle Lausitz the different grape varieties come into their own.
What characteristics are particularly important to you in a wine glass?
A wine glass it's For me, it is an essential tool to fully bring out the taste and aroma of a wine. It should follow the basic principles, such as the shape of a Bordeaux glass with the so-called chimney effect, which concentrates the aromas and makes the taste more precise. Aspects such as feel and value are particularly important to me - a glass should be comfortable to hold and be of high quality. I personally prefer fine, not too thick-walled glasses. In addition to functionality, aesthetics also play a role for me - the glass also has to be beautiful.
What motivated you to do the series? Cocoon to include in your store? What excites you about this series?
When I the glasses of the Cocoon series The first time I held them in my hand, I was amazed at how light and fine they are - hard to believe that they are Machined are. I was impressed by the design and the shape it's special, organic and natural at the same time. The Cocoon Glasses have that special aha effect. I like to use the series here in the store as tasting glasses, as they support the development of the aromas and taste of the wine in an impressive way.
Discover the Cocooncollection for your next wine moment
How are you up? Stölzle Lausitz noticed?
I have Stölzle Lausitz first met in the restaurant industry in the 2010s. The glasses were also sold in the Schmidt wine shop and used for tastings. I got my first Stölzle there Wine Glasses added – back then the series Quatrophil. Stölzle Lausitz was always where I was and always in the places where Wine was celebrated. It felt natural to form a partnership. Behind the name there is not only a company that produces itself, but also people with faces that we now know. That thrilled me!
We're curious...is there one Wine for 2025, which will be a lot of fun?
A Wine, which I can absolutely recommend for 2025, it's the 2022 Pinot Noir Alte Reben from the Peter Wagner winery in Baden. The grapes come from vines that are around 35 to 60 years old and grew on volcanic soil. The Wine Matured for about 18 months in French barrique barrels and was bottled in summer 2024. The taste is not excessively fruity, but rather robust, spicy and slightly smoky. At the same time it impresses with a lot of freshness, a lively acidity and a clear structure.
Is there one Wine, which is on your bucket list and which you definitely want to try?
A Wine, that I've had my eye on for a long time, it's the Château Palmer, 3ème Grand Cru Classé from Margaux. I particularly liked the 1983 vintage, not only because it comes from the year I was born, but also because it is considered one of the best Palmer wines of all time. A good Bordeaux can easily last over 40 years mature, so this has currently reached its peak - so I can't put off this wish for too long.
Where: Wine Damager, Brunnenstraße 6-7, 10119 Berlin
Social Media: @wine.damager
