Team

Per Soehlke, who grew up in Bogotá, is a trained chef and has worked in top restaurants, including those of Gualtiero Marchesi (3*** Michelin) and Charles Schumann. In 1993, he founded Smart-Wines GmbH and has been its managing director ever since. Coming from the world of top-class gastronomy, he began in Germany with the goal-oriented and customer-focused development of an agency for Italy’s up-and-coming wine elite. From the outset, his focus was on working with the best German specialist retailers, with a particular emphasis on establishing close relationships with regional importers.

Jakob Jarden is a trained hotel manager and gained practical experience in catering and event management. Having grown up in the world of wine, he later deepened his passion through internships at wineries in Germany, Austria and Spain, thereby expanding his knowledge in a targeted manner. He has been with Smart-Wines since 2016 and is now responsible for the strategic management of the company. With his comprehensive expertise, clear eye for market trends and structured approach, he plays a key role in shaping the company’s development.

Alexander Hecht grew up in São Paulo and studied viticulture and oenology at Geisenheim University. His career has taken him to various German wineries and into the wine trade. He has been working at Smart-Wines since 2009 and is now part of the national sales team, with a particular focus on local specialist retailers. With his technical expertise, strong communication skills and extensive market knowledge, he is an important intermediary between producers and retailers.

Stefan Traub, a graduate of Geisenheim University, gained a wealth of experience in the wine industry after spending several years abroad in Canada and New Zealand. He has worked in various sales positions for over 20 years, with a particular focus on sparkling wine. Today, he is part of the Smart-Wines team and works nationally in the field, where he looks after specialist retailers, top restaurants and selected wineries. With his experience and keen sense of the market, he is an important contact for customers and partners.

Sabrina Wiza, born in Germany and raised in Mexico, began studying international hotel management after graduating from high school. This was followed by a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and oenology in Turin and a master’s degree in Reims. She also gained practical experience in wine cellars and in wine tourism at international wineries. Today, she heads the office staff at Smart-Wines. With her international experience, organisational skills and keen sense of language and processes, she brings structure to day-to-day business – always combined with a passion for wine.

After studying foreign languages, Dagmar Pulitano’s career path initially led her to the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade in Frankfurt am Main, where she first came into contact with Italian wine. Born in the Palatinate region of Germany, she spent seven years at DC Weinimporte in Hofheim, where she built up a wealth of expertise in the industry. She has been working in the office at Smart-Wines since 2007, where she is responsible for translations and general day-to-day business, as well as administrative tasks such as commission management.

Marcus Pretor, a “local boy” who has been with Smart-Wines since 2007, is responsible for a wide range of office tasks. After studying Romance languages and art history (M.A.) and working in a museum, an event agency and a PR agency, his passion for wine led him to train as a wine consultant (IHK/Koblenz). Today, he combines his expertise with a flair for language: he manages orders and writes all kinds of texts – from customer mailings to product descriptions – with style, clarity and a touch of charm.

Michaela Jäger brings over two decades of experience in the international communications industry, where she worked as an associate director for many years. At Smart-Wines, she is active in PR and marketing and supports corporate communications, trade fair appearances and joint marketing initiatives. With a flair for language and a passion for stories, she immerses herself in the world of wine – and focuses on the people and values behind every label.