Name dispute with the winegrowers' association: Gunda Vogler from Schkeuditz does not want to give up her Leipzig wine

Leipzig/Schkeuditz. Gunda Vogler has to hang on. The wine merchant from Schkeuditz is still selling her wine creation with the name "Leipziger Weinsinfonie", but it is not clear for how long. "I'm still waiting for a decision from the trademark office," says the 66-year-old. The uncertainty is still getting to her, she says, even though business was going well at the turn of the year.

For over two years, Vogler has been fighting for her Leipzig wine, which she sells in her small but well-stocked store on Coppiplatz in Leipzig. The creation is her pride and joy and a family project - she and her husband selected the wine from Central German winegrowers, her sister painted the label with Leipzig landmarks and her daughter designed the lettering. But it is precisely this - her own wine - that is causing Vogler major problems. Because if a Palatinate winegrowers' association has its way, she will no longer be allowed to sell the wine. The dispute over the name is not only sapping Vogler's energy. It could also jeopardize the existence of her store.

Wine merchant receives much encouragement after LVZ report

The LVZ had already visited the Schkeuditz resident in August. Her story aroused great interest among readers, but also sympathy: "The response continues to be very positive, many people have started buying the wine to support me directly. I am infinitely grateful to everyone for that." Because a possible lawsuit continues to hover over Vogler like a sword of Damocles. "So far, the winegrowers' association has not taken this step," she says. However, should it come to that, the wine merchant could face a claim for damages of up to 100,000 euros in the worst-case scenario. And that could mean the end of her wine trade.

She is therefore hoping for a decision from the trademark office soon - she sees this as crucial for the further course of her case. "If it is in my favor, the winegrowers' association will hopefully give up."

The response continues to be very positive and many people have started buying the wine to support me directly. I am infinitely grateful to everyone for that. - Gunda Vogler, wine merchant from Schkeuditz

Gunda Vogler wants to set an example

However, the authorities are not concerned with Vogler's wine, but with her whisky. This is because the winegrowers' association originally took action against it when the 66-year-old registered it in the trademark register under "Leipziger Whiskey Sinfonie". According to the Winzervereinigung Deutsches Weintor eG, there was a risk of confusion with one of its brands that had already been on the market for some time. "Then, unfortunately, they also became aware of my wine."

But waiting and worrying is not Vogler's style. She sells the whiskey anyway - but advertises it under a different name for the time being. "If I'm proved right, I'll change it immediately," she says. Giving up is still out of the question for her. "I'm not going to play small," she says resolutely. After all, it's no longer just about her: "I want to use my case to prove and show that even as a small retailer, it's worth standing up for yourself and not being intimidated."