Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Anderson-Heller.
Christina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
This year Lynfred Winery will celebrate its 38th anniversary. Any business celebrating over three decades in today’s economy seems astonishing but a winery celebrating 38 years in Illinois… well we consider that to be pretty amazing! We still have an article posted in the winery from 1977 that is titled ‘Winery Ok’d despite dispirited audience’. When Fred & Lynn Koehler’s dream of opening Lynfred Winery started to come to fruition, the reality of starting Illinois’ first winery to open since prohibition became quite a task. Eventually the winery was bonded in 1977 and opened its doors to the public on October 14, 1979.
The winery has come a long way from the original tasting room opened in 1979. Fred’s legacy continues on with the Lynfred Family, including his granddaughter, Katura.
After many years of training, Andres Basso, our Director of Winemaking/General Manager, has managed to carry on the vision of excellence that Fred was able to build for many years. With our growth we also welcomed a new head winemaker, Rodrigo Gonzalez.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was a rough beginning; founder Fred Koehler had to overcome many obstacles along the journey. Converting a residence into a commercial business, convincing California vineyards to ship their grapes 2,000 miles to Illinois, and fighting to get Illinois laws changed to allow more freedom in producing various varieties and in larger quantities, just to name a few. Koehler’s big break came when his 1983 Chardonnay earned national recognition in 1985 when it won ‘Best of Class and Best of Show’ against other prestigious California wineries in a Reno, Nevada judging. One month later, this wine made history by winning another major national competition, again “Double Gold”, at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago. Named in prominent magazines such as the Wine Spectator, Chicago Tribune and with TV exposure, people began to take notice. “Word of mouth is the best advertising”, Koehler would say, and this little business began to grow.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Lynfred Winery is the oldest and largest, continuously-operating, family winery in Illinois, producing over 70 varietals and 30,000 cases of fine wine per year. Since 1979 Lynfred Winery has offered guests the finest vintages, gourmet cuisine and luxurious lodging. Lynfred is one of Chicago’s most unique attractions.
Lynfred Winery has a magical presence and anyone that drives into its cobblestone drive begins to feel it. The nostalgic-like atmosphere is something that all can appreciate and is adored by tourists, neighbors and wine lovers. Experience Lynfred wines and live the Lynfred life.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Founder Fred Koehler was the son of German immigrants who moved to Chicago at the turn of the 19th century into the 20th century. In their homeland of Germany the Koehler family had been making wine for over 200 years. When Fred Koehler decided to open a winery in Chicagoland many people considered his decision crazy; people were still drinking French wines, with Napa just beginning to gain recognition. Koehler knew that Chicago is a major wine-consuming city and decided to stay with his Chicago roots. The decision to stay in Chicagoland was a success. 38 years since the winery opened, it now has four locations and over 5000 wine club members and over 150,000 visitors annually.
Pricing:
- Wines range from $11-$35, on average
- Wine tasting is available daily. $11 for a tasting of 7 wines and $14 for 7 wines, plus a premium
- Bed and Breakfast Suites are available for $395 per night.
Contact Info:
- Address: 15 South Roselle Road
Roselle, IL 60172 - Website: www.lynfredwinery.com
- Phone: 630.529.9463
- Email: wineinfo@lynfredwinery.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lynfredwinery
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lynfredwheeling
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/lynfredwinery
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lynfred-winery-roselle
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g36629-d1544377-Reviews-Lynfred_Winery_Bed_Breakfast-Roselle_Illinois.html
French Chan
Image Credit:
Lynfred Winery
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