About Us
Katharina Cser-Mostyn (pronounced: Caterina/Cat-ah Sir Moss-tin) is a dynamic female entrepreneur and the visionary force behind Wine Not the Brand - a startup Australian company revolutionising the wine industry with practical, fun and eco-friendly wine pouches.
Kata’s professional journey began in Canberra when she was 21, when her Father was diagnosed with cancer and she decided a regular career just wasn’t going to work if she wanted to be there for him. She began a side gig next to her Human Resources job as a commission only direct sales Consultant, where she has dedicated over 12 years to helping people discover healthier, more sustainable lifestyle choices. Her success in this field, reaching the top 1%, provided a solid foundation in sales, marketing, and customer engagement - skills that would later prove invaluable in her entrepreneurial ventures.
She credits her decade in network marketing to teaching her the basics of networking, business systems, client care, and the importance of branding, authenticity & human connection. Known for preferring bars to boardrooms when conducting business, Kata built a reputation within her industry as a millennial to follow & one who never held back when she had something to say.
With a background that seamlessly blends a passion for sustainability, and sales expertise, Kata's journey is one of determination, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact.
In 2016, Katharina launched Wine Not the Brand, inspired by her desire to create aesthetic millennial focused wine labels at a time where the options were limited to traditional black & white designs. When the pandemic hit, she started working on a way to reduce the forever increasing shipping expenses in her business, as well as find a more practical way to take wine on her adventures on the Gold Coast, which she now calls home.
Drawing from her father's expertise in polymer composition and her own curiosity, she developed wine pouches. Wine pouches reduce the packaging weight of wine by up to 94%, decrease carbon emissions by up to 80%, and take waste that would otherwise go to landfill, and repurpose it to make pouches. These pouches, now made from 60% recycled materials, offer a lightweight, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional glass bottles. They are ideal for outdoor activities and the growing trend of reducing alcohol consumption through smaller portions.
Kata's vision quickly gained traction. Despite being a newcomer in the market, Wine Not the Brand achieved remarkable success, selling approximately 10,000 units within the first two years without paid advertising.
Wine Not the Brand was featured on SharkTank Australia 2024, where Kata walked away with a deal with Showpo CEO Jane Lu.
With a proven concept and a loyal customer base, including repeat subscription orders and significant commercial clients, Kata is now focused on scaling her business. She is seeking partnerships with larger commercial customers, such as airlines, festivals, stadiums and retail outlets, to solidify Wine Not the Brand's position as a leader in the flexible packaging and wine innovation industries.
Kata's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to her resilience and ingenuity. From her early days in direct sales to pitching on Shark Tank Australia, she continues to break new ground, driven by a passion for sustainability and a commitment to making wine fun again. Through Wine Not the Brand, Katharina is not only changing how we enjoy wine but also setting a new standard for innovation within the wine industry.
Thank you for visiting Wine Not the Brand & taking the time to learn about the inspiring story of Katharina Cser-Mostyn, a trailblazer who is reshaping the wine industry and proving that innovation, sustainability, and fun, can go hand in hand.
