News & Events
June 17, 2024
FEATURED: Matchbook Masterclass - Tues, June 25
Tuesday, June 25th
RSVP REQUIRED. SEATING LIMITED.
Hosts
Paul Monahan, COO
Kurtis Nolting, Matchbook NYC Rep & Distiller
Matchbook Distilling Co. is not your average distillery. They make unique and distinctive spirits that are based on locally sourced agricultural products. In a sense, their spirits are tied to the year’s growing season. They help up-cycle produce and grains that would have been destroyed, which in turn pushes their creativity and experimentation.
How does Matchbook decide which raw materials to use?
What if modern spirits could be a more productive part of the working food system?
How does the fermenting mash flavors translate to the final product, and why are they crucial to its character?
While we’d love to take 30 or so people to Greenport, Long Island to see where the magic happens. However, it is more feasible for Paul & Kurtis to travel to Chicago. They are bringing with them raw ingredients and fermentations of select products so we can better understand the manufacturing process and ingenuity and how all of the beautiful flavors come from Mother Earth.
It is going to be a special seminar: 12pm start
Can’t make the masterclass? There will be a casual open tasting right after: 1:30pm start
CreamHQ
2501 W. Washington Blvd, Ste 300
Chicago, IL 60612
Driving? Parking is free. We are just west of the United Center.
Taking the L? We are a 10 minute walk from the California Green Line.
Taking the Metra? We are a 16 minute walk from the Western Ave. stop for MD-N, NCS, and MD-W metra rail.
MD-N = Milwaukee District North
MD-W = Milwaukee District West
NCS = North Central Service
April 16, 2024
FEATURED: Futures Fiesta: April 22nd
small production
FUTURES FIESTA
Limited to 100 Buyers
FUTURES FIESTA (aka Olé & Obrigado Futures Tasting) is an important buyer pre-sell tasting that we host every year. Buyers get access to O&O’s most sought-after cuvées and are able to taste future releases and request quantities before they arrive in the USA. This tasting is taking place in 10 cities and limited to 100 buyers per city. ️Items will sell out!
Lucky for us, Chicago’s event is happening IN ONE WEEK:
Monday, April 22nd from 12-3pm
Chicago Special Guests:
Celia Vizcarra Garcia, family winemaker for Bodegas Vizcarra
Patrick Mata, owner of Olé & Obrigado
Enjoy live music by Vivian Garcia: @flymariposachicago
Enjoy delicious tapas by Emilio’s Tapas: @emiliostapas
Event Location:
2501 W. Washington Blvd, Ste 300
Chicago, IL 60612
Driving? Parking is free. We are just west of the United Center.
Taking the L? We are a 10 minute walk from the California Green Line.
Taking the Metra? We are a 16 minute walk from the Western Ave. stop for MD-N (Milwaukee District North), NCS (North Central Service), and MD-W (Milwaukee District West) metra rail.
March 28, 2024
FEATURED: Join Us April 8th!
Sometimes an importer’s name says it all. The Rare Wine Company has one of the greatest portfolios of iconic, rare wines of any wine merchant in America. We invite you on April 8th to taste these producers. Valerie Masten Bonné, National Sales Director, and Cream are hosting a full Rare Wine Company portfolio tasting at our office. We hope you join us for a special day filled with delectable wines and warm company.
We will provide eclipse glasses for the partial solar eclipse in Chicago.
Alegre Valganon
Alvaro Palacios
Antidoto
Bartolo Mascarello
Bernabeleva
Tommaso Bussola
Colli di Catone
Descendientes de Jose Palacios
Domaine de Pallus
Domaine des Closiers
Hermanos Pecina
Domaine Huet
Kiralyudvar
Bodegas Olivares
Elio Perrone
Pingus
Il Marroneto
Quinta da Muradella
Quinta do Estranxeiro
RWC Historic Series
San Francisco Javier
Trediberri
Weingut Abraham
Driving? Parking is free. We are just west of the United Center.
Taking the L? We are a 10 minute walk from the California Green Line.
*Taking the Metra? *We are a 16 minute walk from the Western Ave. stop for MD-N, NCS, and MD-W metra rail.
MD-N = Milwaukee District North
MD-W = Milwaukee District West
NCS = North Central Service
March 04, 2024
FEATURED: SOIF WEEK EVENTS March 19-24
We have 9 producers and importers coming to Chicago for Third Coast Soif. Below is a list of scheduled off-soif events. It is going to be a magical week for natural wine and spirits. We hope you can make some of the events!
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Mi Tocaya - Stranger Wine Co. & Modales BTG Takeover - All Night!
make reservations with Mi Tocaya
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Red & White - Wine School w/ leading South American wine importer Brian Ravitsky of Brazos - 6-8PM
reservation link
Nettare - 7-Course Dinner featuring wine pairings by Stranger Wine Co. & Modales - 5-11PM
make reservations with Nettare - regular seating or Chef’s Counter available
All Together Now! - Ruth Lewandowski Happy Hour - 5-8PM
no reservations needed, more details here
THURSDAY MARCH 21
All Together Now! - ZRS BTG Takeover - 5-8PM
no reservations needed, more details here
Los Naturales - ZRS Late Night Party - 9PM Start
details coming
Perilla Chicago - Hana Makgeolli Dinner with Alice Jun - 5-9PM
reservation link
Daisies - Stranger Wine Co. & Modales BTG Takeover - All Night!
make reservations with Daisies
Outside Voices - Ruth Lewandowski BTG Takeover - All Night!
Evan will be there starting at 5pm; no reservations needed
Deep Red Wine Merchant - Brazos Happy Hour - 4-8PM
no reservations needed, just stop in to see Brian and drink some fun juice
FRIDAY MARCH 22
Diversey Wine - Hana Makgeolli Tasting - 5-7PM
no reservations needed, just stop in to meet Alice and taste
Red & White - Zev BTG Takeover - All Night!
no reservations needed, just stop on in to see Zev and drink some fun juice
The Beer Temple - C. Cassis Happy Hour with Distiller Rachael Petach - 5-7PM
no reservations needed, just stop in to see Rachael and drink specialty cocktails featuring C. Cassis
Cellar Door Provisions - Ruth Lewandowski Takeover - All Night!
Evan will be there starting at 6:30PM; make reservations with Cellar Door
Middle Brow - Half Priced Brazos Bottles w/Brian Ravitsky - 4PM Start
make reservations with Middle Brow
Easy Does It - Tasting w/Stranger Wine Co, Mersel, Terra Sancta, & Others - Time TBD
details and reservation link coming soon
SATURDAY MARCH 23
Middle Brow - Lebanese & Palestine Wine Seminar w/Mersel & Terra Sancta - 12-2PM
reservation link
Middle Brow - ZEVAN DJ & Pizza Party w/Zev & Evan - 8PM TO LATE!
more details coming soon; let’s groove
Red & White - Route 00 Off-Soif Road Trip Tasting featuring Stranger Wine Co. & Others - 2-5pm
Ticket Cost is $15.00; Tasting is FREE for Wine Club Members
Time Out Chicago - Soif Sunset featuring Ruth Lewandowski - 4-8PM
reservation link
Galit - Dinner featuring wine pairings by Mersel & Terra Sancta - All Night!
make reservations with Galit
SUNDAY MARCH 24
Third Coast Soif!
November 21, 2023
FEATURED: Vinos Regionales Discovery Case
We are pleased to share with you this special offering of Vinos Regionales Discovery Case. VIEW OFFERING (WINE TRADE ONLY)
The mission of this regional collection of wines is to preserve the land, the people, and the traditions of Spain and Portugal. Our regional collection celebrates the natural beauty of each region in its purest form without manipulation. These balanced wines are ready to drink, yet full of soul and character.
In addition to honoring authenticity, these wines also support a greener planet as they are Carbon Neutral Certified from vine to glass. Vinos Regionales is currently financing a geothermal energy project that offsets 100% of all carbon emissions generated by farming, vinifying, and shipping of all of our wines worldwide. In addition, our glass bottles are made with 80% recycled glass. We are always striving to lower our CO2 emission footprint, one step at a time.
Spain & Portugal Discovery Case
ORDER HERE (WINE TRADE ONLY)
The featured wines in this 6-pack are:
Ludovicus Garnacha from Terra Alta, Spain
Gordo Monastrell from Yecla, Spain
Aplanta Red Blend from Alentejo, Portugal
Totus Tuus Brut Reserva Cava from Penedès, Spain
June 05, 2023
FEATURED: Welcome to Cream: Swick Wines
A 5th generation Oregonian, Joe Swick is making some of the Pacific Northwest’s most unadulterated wines. He caught the wine bug while working in the wine department of his local Portland organic specialty food store. Soon, he landed at Owen Roe as a cellar hand, the beginning of a journey that took him to Piedmont, Tasmania, and Portugal. After nine years and fifteen vintages, it was time to start his own winery.
May 11, 2023
FEATURED: Michigan Wine Seminar & Tasting May 15th
There is a wine movement happening in Michigan.
History is in the making.
Our palates are stimulated by what’s happening northeast of us. We are invigorated and state with conviction that Michigan is the new frontier for fine wine.Why?
Opportunity
Talent
Land Cost
Climate Change
Passion
Fresh Water
Carbon Neutrality/Sustainability
We represent mavericks defying perceptions and disrupting the notion that fine wine ≠ Michigan wine. They are making delicious artisan wines (don’t forget ciders too!) from a variety of grapes, with an experimentation spirit alive and well. Many are single vineyard bottlings to showcase the terroir. Organic, biodynamic, and even regenerative farming principles are becoming the norm. Some are even making natural wines.
We invite you to meet our producers, taste, and learn about the past, present, and future of Michigan wine.
This is an industry only event.
SCHEDULE 10:00AM TO 11:30AM : Seated Seminar The seated seminar is limited to 30 people. Join our producers for a panel discussion and guided tasting of 4 flights. Learn about the past, present, and future of Michigan wine. RSVP MANDATORY.
12:00PM-2:30PM : Walk-Around Tasting Converse one-on-one with each producer as you taste through their whole portfolio of wines available in the Illinois market. RSVP requested but not required.
PRODUCERS BOS Left Foot Charley Modales Stranger Wine Co. Wyncroft
April 17, 2023
FEATURED: Cream Sake Week May 1-5 - Event Calendar
MONDAY, MAY 1ST - SAKE WEEK KICK OFF!
TUESDAY, MAY 2ND
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3RD
Cream Sake Portfolio Tasting - Trade Only @ Bridge 410 11-2pm
Sake Tasting Happy Hour w/ Mas Takeda of Wine of Japan @ Sushi-San 3:30-6pm (no reservations required)
THURSDAY, MAY 4TH
- World Sake Imports By The Glass Takeover @ Arami All Night Long
FRIDAY, MAY 5TH
March 20, 2023
FEATURED: SOIF WEEK 2023 - Event Schedule
SOIF WEEK EVENTS
Wednesday, March 22nd
Thursday, March 23rd
Little Trouble & Ruth Lewandowski Wine Tasting @ Easy Does It 5-8pm
Pet Nat Posse Pizza Party @ All Together Now! featuring Mersel Wines
Friday, March 24th
Mersel Happy Hour @ Consignment Lounge 4-6pm
Stranger Wine Co. Dinner @ Wherewithall - All Dinner Service
Les Lunes/Populis Wine Tasting @ Diversey Wines 5-8pm
Zev Rovine Selections BTG Takeover @ Red & White - All Night - They will be OPEN LATE!
Saturday, March 25th
Pizza & Natural Wine @ Middle Brow featuring Les Lunes, Las Jaras, Ruth Lewandowski, and Mersel - Wines by the glass, by the bottle, and $20 tastings 2-5pm
Little Trouble & Ruth Lewandowski Dinner @ Wherewithall - All Dinner Service
Chateau Beru / Zev Rovine BTG Takeover @ Table, Donkey, & Stick 5-7pm
Mersel Dinner @ Galit - All Dinner Service
Les Lunes/Populis BTG Takeover @ Outside Voices 8-10pm
Zev Rovine Selections Wine Tasting @ Diversey Wine 7-9pm
Sunday, March 26th
Monday, March 27th
February 14, 2023
FEATURED: Cream Rose & Orange Wine Tasting
Monday, February 27th
12:30-3:30pm at Bridge410
Do you recall our past rosé tasting known as Pink Floyd & The Wall of Rosé? It was a fun and successful way to taste the new releases as well as check in with the current stock (premiere & retrospective)…and find homes for both.
Rosé, once a seasonal beverage, is now on lists all year. Vintage seems to matter less and less to the end consumer. The category has evolved. We think this is fantastic. May the year 2023 be the rosé lover’s year!
Orange wine is a phenomenon that doesn’t seem to be slowing. Some are funky and tannic. Some are light and aromatic (hello orange Muscat!). Consumers seem to be exploring and enjoying all the category has to offer, from BTG options to the serious producers like Gravner & Dario Princic.
Thus, we invite you to our first ever combined Cream Rosé & Orange Wine Tasting!
We hope you can make it.
TRADE ONLY | RSVP Required to Tori@creamwine.com
Bridge410
410 N. Paulina Street
Chicago, IL 60622
Parking: Brige410 has a parking lot for those who are driving. Paulina also has easy street parking that is not metered.
Public Transportation: Bridge410 is an 8 minute walk from the Ashland and Lake Green Line and Pink Line stop.
