Ink, Wine & a No-Nonsense Palate: Stine Pimenova
Stine Pimenova. Photo: Ronja Bo Gustavsson DSF
Wine can feel complicated, but not when Stine Pimenova is behind the bar. She keeps things real, no snobbery, just great wine and good company. With a background in art and a straight-talking approach, this is Stines story.
It’s one of those crisp winter mornings in Copenhagen, where the sun glistens on freshly fallen snow. As I step into R Vinbar, Stine Pimenova, 29 years old, originally from Latvia but now lives in Vanløse, is in the middle of receiving a wine delivery. The boxes stack up near the bar, a reminder that while wine might be about pleasure and indulgence, it is also a business that requires logistics and planning.
As she checks the bottles, a regular customer walks in, not to drink, but just for a quick chat. He’s on his way to refill his CO2 for his SodaStream, but he takes a moment to greet Stine, exchanging a few words and a warm smile. When he hears I’m Swedish, he effortlessly switches languages, a small yet telling moment that reflects the easy-going, family-style atmosphere of R Vinbar. It’s the kind of place where people come not just for the wine but for the people behind the counter.
Stine Pimenova. Photo Ronja Bo Gustavsson DSF
Meet Stine: The No-Nonsense Sommelier
Stine Pimenova doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional sommelier, and that’s exactly what makes her stand out. She knows her wines but keeps things down-to-earth, no pretense, no unnecessary formality. With a sharp, no-BS approach, she makes wine feel accessible rather than intimidating.
Her style reflects her personality: bold, confident, and effortlessly cool. Tattoos, big earrings, and a keen eye for fashion might scream "Copenhagen," but her roots are unmistakably Baltic. This mix of influences shapes how she approaches wine, blending precision with warmth, expertise with ease.
2x Coffee. Stine to te right. Photo: Ronja Bo Gustavsson
A Journey from Latvia to Denmark
Stine grew up in Latvia with a Latvian mother and a Russian father. Even as a teenager, she knew that Latvia was too small for her, and she dreamed of moving abroad. At 19, she visited Copenhagen for the first time and instantly fell in love with the city’s atmosphere and people. It took her seven years to make the move, navigating different experiences along the way, including spending some time in Venice working with art. Finally, at 26, she arrived in Denmark, ready to start fresh.
"I just knew that at some point, I would move somewhere else," she says. "For a long time, I wasn’t sure where, but the moment I stepped into Copenhagen, I felt at home."
Sponsored ad from California Wines.
“For the first two months, I kept asking myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ because it was so difficult. I didn’t have the vocabulary for wine in Danish, so I had to Google Translate everything.”
With a background in art and multimedia design, Stine explored multiple career paths before settling on wine. She studied multimedia in Copenhagen but soon realized that spending hours in front of a screen wasn’t for her. "I thought if I couldn’t make money painting, I’d do digital art instead. But then I realized, sitting in front of a computer all day just wasn’t for me."
At the same time, she had always loved wine, her friends would ask her for recommendations, and she enjoyed exploring new flavors and styles. Her first job in Copenhagen was in the service industry, where her manager recognized her passion for wine and encouraged her to pursue formal education as a sommelier.
Stine. Photo Ronja Bo Gustavsson
The Challenge of Becoming a Sommelier
Determined to build a career in wine, Stine enrolled at Dansk Sommelier Uddannelse in Copenhagen. Studying to become a sommelier was no easy feat, especially since Danish was not her first language. "For the first two months, I kept asking myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ because it was so difficult. I didn’t have the vocabulary for wine in Danish, so I had to Google Translate everything," she recalls.
Learning about wine and simultaneously mastering terminology in a foreign language was exhausting, but she was determined. "It was like double learning, both the language and the wine knowledge at the same time. I was tired all the time, but I really wanted it, so I just kept pushing forward."
Her dedication paid off, and she now values the decision to study in Danish. "Looking back, I’m glad I did it in Danish rather than English, because now I can communicate fluently with my guests and colleagues. It was worth the struggle."
Sponsored ad from California Wines.
Wine Without Ego
Stine’s work at R Vinbar reflects her philosophy: wine should be about connection, not intimidation. She loves interacting with guests, helping them find wines they enjoy, and guiding them through tasting experiences. She listens closely, asking them to describe aromas and flavors they like, rather than pushing her personal preferences.
"I don’t think you’re a good sommelier if you only sell what you personally like. It’s about listening to the guest, understanding what they want, and guiding them towards something that excites them."
“Every service is like a little life. You never know what will happen, who will walk through the door, what their mood will be, or what kind of energy they bring.”
Stine Photo: Ronja Bo Gustavsson DSF
Every Service is a Little Life
For Stine, every night in service is unique, an unfolding story filled with unexpected characters and moments. "Every service is like a little life," she says. "You never know what will happen, who will walk through the door, what their mood will be, or what kind of energy they bring. It’s always different, and that’s what makes it exciting."
She recalls how some guests come in just to say hi, not necessarily to drink but to check in and exchange a few words. "That’s when you know you’ve created something special, a place that feels like home, where people want to return not just for the wine but for the connection."
“ I can enjoy an aged Barolo, but I can also drink a cheap Riesling from the supermarket with the right people.”
Stine Pimenova Photo: Ronja Bo Gustavsson DSF
The Future: A Wine Bar of Her Own?
While Stine is currently focused on growing as a sommelier, she dreams of opening her own wine bar someday. Managing a bar in the past gave her insight into the business side of the industry, from sourcing wine to handling staff and problem-solving daily challenges.
"I know that one day I’ll have my own place. I don’t know if it will be in Denmark or somewhere else, but I’ve already got a name for it," she says with a grin, though she’s not ready to reveal it just yet.
Grounded and Always Curious
What sets Stine apart is her grounded attitude. "I can enjoy an aged Barolo, but I can also drink a cheap Riesling from the supermarket with the right people. It’s not always about the wine being perfect—it’s about the moment and the company."
She laughs when she talks about misconceptions in the industry. "People think sommeliers are these snobby wine geniuses who drink fancy wine all the time. But honestly? We spit out most of what we taste during work, and we don’t drink as much as people think. Also, I don’t take myself too seriously. I always say, ‘The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.’"
Final Thoughts
For Stine, wine is more than just a beverage, it’s an art form, a story, a moment shared between people. She encourages everyone to stay curious, ask questions, and never take themselves too seriously.
As she continues her journey in the wine world, one thing is certain: Stine Pimenova is just getting started.
