At ZimKaffee, we’ve always believed coffee is a living story—of place, people, and patient craft. Wine shares that same heartbeat: varietal, terroir, fermentation, ritual. Bringing them together felt natural—so we became one of Zürich’s early specialty cafés to also serve wine, with a focus that, like our coffee, shines a light on Africa.
Coffee & Wine Makes Senses Together
- Shared Craft: Variety, soil, climate, and fermentation shape both cup and glass.
- Terroir, Front and Center: From Ethiopian highlands to South African slopes, origin drives flavor.
- Ritual & Community: Morning espresso, evening pour—same table, new stories.
The Big Shift (Of Course No Others Than The ZimKaffee Way)
- Licensing & Responsibility: We secured the proper alcohol licensing and implement responsible service.
- Team Training: Baristas cross-trained in wine—aroma families, serving temps, and pairing guidance—just like we do with coffee.
- Storage That Respects Terroir: Dedicated chilled and ambient space so bottles pour at their best.
- Space that Transforms: Lights dim, playlists shift, candles glow—the café becomes a wine bar without losing its soul.
Our Day-to-Night Flow
- Day: African specialty coffee leads—floral Ethiopian filters, syrupy Kenyan espressos, chocolatey Ugandan lots.
- Evening: We transition to a concise list of African wines, guided tastings, and easy pairings—crafted for conversation.
The African Wine List (Curated & Evolving)
We keep the list focused, seasonal, and story-driven—always centering African producers.
-
South Africa: New-Old World Energy
- Notable varieties: Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cinsault, Syrah, Cap Classique.
- Taste profile: From citrus-minerality and stone fruit to supple red berries and spice.
- Fun fact: Low-intervention bottlings echo the clarity we love in naturally processed coffees.
-
Skin-Contact & “Orange” Styles
- Notable approach: Extended maceration on white grapes for color, texture, and grip.
- Taste profile: Tea-like tannin, apricot and peel, honeyed depth—familiar to lovers of fruity naturals.
- Fun fact: The fermentation curiosity we celebrate in coffee shows up here in vivid ways.
-
Guest Picks from Across the World
- Notable focus: When we find traceable quality from otter regions, we feature it.
- Taste profile: Sun-drenched fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and savory spice depending on terroir.
- Fun fact: Our menu notes link winemakers’ methods to coffee processing styles for easy discovery.
Coffee-First DNA, Wine-Smart Service
We didn’t add wine to “sell more things.” We did it to deepen the craft our community already loves. Our values—traceability, sustainability, and hospitality—carry from the espresso machine to the wine glass. If you enjoy a bright Kenyan SL28, you might love a citrus-driven Chenin Blanc; if you lean toward jammy Ugandan naturals, a silky Pinotage could be your evening match.
Pairings & Programming
- Easy Pairings: Light bites that let the glass sing and complement our African coffees.
- Guided Flights: Side-by-side tastings connecting coffee notes to wine styles.
- Community Nights: Pop-ups, comedy nights,collabs, and mini-tastings that keep discovery fun.
Visit Us
Come for the espresso, stay for the pour. Find us at ZimKaffee, Specialty Coffee & Wine Bar, Torgasse 5, 8001 Zürich .
