APERITIVO, REIMAGINED
Launching this summer, Lupa is a fresh, modern take on aperitivo culture – elevating the ritual of a great drink, no alcohol required.
Born from a simple question – what if the ritual of a great drink didn’t have to include alcohol? – Lupa is the brainchild of Matakana locals and founders of 8 Wired Brewing, Monique and Søren Eriksen. The idea was sparked by the couple’s time in Europe, particularly long afternoons in Italy where aperitivo hour unfolds with effortless charm: friends gathering, sun softening, conversations flowing. They returned home wanting to capture the spirit of that effortless ritual without the need for alcohol. Created inside their boundary-pushing brewery, Lupa had access to real flavour science from the start, enabling a naturally layered, refined take on the classic spritz.
Led by Monique, the brand is shaped by her years in the beverage industry, combined with her fascination for the psychology of ritual and how a thoughtfully made drink can shift the tone of a moment. She believes in modern moderation – not anti-alcohol, but pro-choice and pro- quality. Her goal was to craft an alcohol- free drink that delivered on flavour and still carried the emotional weight of pouring something beautiful, sharing it with friends, and letting connection unfold.
Lupa is more than a drink – it’s a way of living. Inspired by the elegance of Italian spritz culture and guided by La Lupa – the legendary she-wolf of Rome – the brand stands for strength, vitality, freedom, and connection. Each drink is crafted with the care of a premium alcoholic beverage, built on natural botanicals and free from preservatives. Layered, aromatic, and designed to be sipped, Lupa brings a distinctly modern sensibility to the alcohol- free space, with ready-to-pour spritzes that elevate the moment without fuss.
Lupa launches with two offerings, with more to follow. Hugo Spritz, a sparkling blend of elderflower, white grape, mint and lime, evokes long European afternoons with its crisp, floral and effortlessly refreshing flavour profile. Aperitivo Spritz reimagines the classic orange-forward Italian ritual with layered botanicals and aromatic depth. Both are alcohol-free, vegan, gluten-free and preservative-free.
Proudly developed and produced in Matakana, Lupa is shaped by a community that values craftsmanship and quality. Its connection to 8 Wired places it firmly within the region’s maker ecosystem, while its support of local events and venues reinforces its commitment to a more inclusive social landscape – whether drinking alcohol or not.
Lupa represents a new chapter for the region’s beverage scene – innovative, design-driven, and rooted in a coastal lifestyle where connection and clarity can happily coexist.