An Austrian non-alcoholic wine built on Israeli dealcoholization technology has claimed the top spot in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Zeronimo, from the Heribert Bayer family winery, beat out an international field after a public vote that followed expert nomination.
The win lands as the no- and low-alcohol category picks up speed globally. Producers keep chasing a stubborn problem: removing ethanol without destroying the volatile compounds that give wine its smell and character. Most attempts end up flat.
Zeronimo tackles that challenge with SOLOS technology from Prodalim Group. The system pairs dealcoholization with proprietary aroma recovery. Those captured compounds return to the finished product, preserving more of the original sensory profile. No artificial aromas enter the process.
Prodalim runs operations across Israel, Europe, the United States, South America, and Asia. Tel Aviv sits among its global locations. The SOLOS division has built facilities in Valencia, Spain, and entered the US market in November 2025 as its sixth global footprint.
“The prestigious win in the United States is recognition of our vision of producing high-quality alcohol-free wines without compromising on quality,” said Prodalim CEO Tzachi Barak. He added that the company poured significant technological resources into proving alcohol-free wine can retain its original aromas.
Zeronimo sources grapes from Austrian vines aged 50 to 90 years. The range includes Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt expressions, plus a Leonis Blend built on a foundation wine that earned a 98-point rating.
The award gives Prodalim a high-profile proof point for its strategy. As beverage-industry investment flows into the alcohol-free sector, Zeronimo’s first-place finish signals that technology may finally close the taste gap consumers have long complained about.
