Meet our Members

ROMAN SYDORENKO

Roman Sydorenko is a sober epicurean and tech entrepreneur turned investor in terroir-driven tea. He approaches tea with the intellectual rigor and sensory acuity traditionally reserved for fine wine. A few years ago, Roman consciously stepped away from alcohol, driven by the belief that exceptional dining deserves beverages that heighten - not dull - the senses.

This belief led him to establish Ace of Cups, an investment syndicate dedicated exclusively to No & Low ABV gourmet specialty beverages, with a particular obsession for single-origin, tea-based expressions, from Mizudashi-style brews to tea pét-nats. Roman’s investment thesis champions producers who elevate tea beyond mere ingredient status, treating it instead as a central pillar that structures complexity, narrative, and terroir in no and low alcohol wine alternatives. He prioritizes authenticity, craftsmanship, and innovation.

Roman’s portfolio notably includes:

· MURI (Copenhagen), celebrated for sophisticated fermentations incorporating rare teas like Huangshan Mao Feng jasmine into their layered, wine-inspired blends.

· PROXIES (Canada), a leader in crafting tea-based wine alternatives, blending single-origin teas with precise hot and cold extraction techniques to highlight varietal purity and complexity.

Roman's polemical writings, notably his widely shared essay "From Leaf to Table," critique traditional wine-centric dining practices, arguing that ethanol acts as a sensory barrier, numbing palates and diminishing culinary nuance. He passionately advocates tea as a superior pairing choice, enhancing flavor clarity and maintaining cognitive sharpness throughout dining experiences.

Splitting his time between Lisbon and Miami Beach, Roman continues to champion ventures reshaping how we perceive flavor, terroir, and sensory excellence at the table.