Munich-based bar manager and spirits sommelier Dustin Hanselka is becoming the face of the premium brandy brand Gran Duque d’Alba and Don Zoilo Sherry in Germany. With his expertise and passion for traditional spirits, he will communicate the values of the brands in the future and bring them closer to a broad audience.
Gran Duque d’Alba is known for its outstanding Solera Gran Reserva brandies from Jerez de la Frontera. Now the brand is welcoming its new and first brand ambassador for the German market: Dustin Hanselka. The bar manager, sensory expert and sommelier will represent the tradition and quality of the brand in the future and introduce its distinctive spirits to a wider audience.
A Bar Manager with a Passion for Craftsmanship and Quality
Dustin Hanselka is no stranger to the German bar scene. As a partner at Curtain Call Bar in Munich, known for its atmosphere and creative selection of high-quality cocktail creations, as well as a founding and board member of the Distillate Sommelier Association, he has made a name for himself in the industry. With his professional expertise and passion for innovative mixology, he continues to set new standards. He has also proven his skill behind the bar as a multiple finalist in international cocktail competitions.
The Distinctive Approach of Curtain Call Bar
Just like Gran Duque d’Alba and Don Zoilo Sherry, Curtain Call Bar in Munich’s Glockenbach district stands for individuality and craftsmanship. It follows an independent concept beyond traditional bar menus. Instead of fixed recipes, the focus is on signature drinks and individual compositions guided by intention, seasonality and product availability. An essential element is in-house production: fermentation, reduction, infusion and modern processing techniques are used deliberately to shape and further develop aromas with precision. This results in drinks that are not simply reproduced, but consciously created. The concept is complemented by a bespoke approach: guests set the direction, and the team translates it into tailor-made drinks. Every drink is situational, sensorially considered and part of a larger whole.
Brands with Centuries of Craftsmanship
With his expertise and passion for the world of spirits, Dustin is an ideal fit for the philosophy of Gran Duque d’Alba and Don Zoilo Sherry. The brandy is produced at the renowned Williams & Humbert bodega in Jerez de la Frontera using the traditional Criaderas and Soleras system. It matures slowly and carefully in American oak casks that previously held fortified wines, giving it unique complexity and depth. The Don Zoilo range offers premium sherries and includes Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez. The wines mature for an average of 15 years in the Solera system.
A Connection Between Craftsmanship and Passion
“I am very pleased about the collaboration with Gran Duque d’Alba and Don Zoilo. As a sommelier and bar manager, communicating the craftsmanship and stories behind high-quality spirits is especially close to my heart. The brands combine tradition and quality in an impressive way, and I look forward to supporting these values through my work,” says Dustin Hanselka about his new role. With him as brand ambassador, Gran Duque d’Alba is taking another step toward making Spanish distilling craftsmanship better known in Germany and reaching new target groups. As a complement to brandy and sherry, Dustin will also place a stronger focus on Dos Maderas, whose final production stage also takes place at Bodega Williams & Humbert.
