Louis Glunz Wines – 33rd Annual Grand Tasting
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About this event
Please join us at the 33rd Annual Grand Tasting!
RSVP by January 23rd, 2015.
About the company
Louis Glunz Wines is an importer and distributor that has been servicing the Illinois market for over 130 years. Under the second and third generation, Louis Glunz Wines has evolved into a mid-sized importer and distributor of some of the finest wines from around the world. With the fourth generation’s involvement, the business has expanded with representation throughout the state of Illinois.
The Louis Glunz story begins in 1879, when Louis Glunz I arrived in Chicago from his native Wesphalia, Germany. Louis took a job as a deliveryman with the Wacker & Birk brewery. He worked hard, learned all he could about the brewery business and saved his wages to begin his own company.
In 1888, Louis set up shop as a wine, beer and spirits merchant at Wells and Division streets in Old Town, where his grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to do business today. During the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, Louis became a bottler of Schlitz beer and his business expanded. Sacramental wines and medicinal products became the mainstay of the business during Prohibition. After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 the business began focusing on wholesaling and distribution in addition to bottling.
In 1992 the third generation decided to split the company with each brother heading up their individual company: Louis III started a chemical business, Regis Chemical Co., John (Jack) concentrated on the beer business, Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., and Joseph transformed his father’s wine collection into one of the finest wine distributorships in the United States, Louis Glunz Wines, Inc.