News & Events

January 13, 2025
FEATURED: Welcome Schatzi Wines

Cream is thrilled to announce the official launch of our new partnership in Illinois with Schatzi Wines in 2025, kicking things off with a proper salon!

We are proud to represent and focus on Schatzi’s foundational German producers and NA wines, selections that will further enrich our portfolio of small grower-producers offering wines of true provenance.

We invite all trade professionals to join us for an open house tasting on Monday, January 27th, from 12:15 to 2:00pm

Prior to the open tasting, from 10:30 to 12pm sharp (German time!), Schatzi founder Kevin Pike and Rob Krupp will lead an exclusive seminar for the Cream team and invited trade members. Seats for the seminar are limited, so please RSVP to secure your spot.

We look forward to seeing you at Cream for this exciting celebration with Schatzi Wines!

Location: 2501 W. Washington Blvd, Ste 300, Chicago, IL

December 09, 2024
FEATURED: We now sell Kentucky bourbon!

LF Heritage derives its name from the rich limestone deposits that bless Kentucky, infusing the water with a unique, supple texture and flavor that contributes to the unparalleled quality of Kentucky bourbon. Nestled in the scenic hills of Georgetown, KY, just a few miles from Lexington—the birthplace of bourbon in the late 18th century—lies the historic Morgan Family Farms. Morgan Family Farms is a sprawling estate that has been in Bethany’s family for five generations and now the home of LF Heritage Bourbon. Their land is more than just a distillery; it’s a working Black Angus cattle farm managed by the Dillow family. The family lives on the farm, nurturing a legacy that stretches back to the late 1800s.

Crafting bourbon with an unwavering commitment to excellence, LF Heritage carefully selects mature and often rare mash bills from some of the most acclaimed distilleries. These handpicked corn-forward Kentucky mash bills are artfully blended to create a non-homogenized, distinctive flavor bursting with fruit and tobacco nuances, rivaling some of the finest whiskeys we at Cream have ever had the pleasure of tasting.

Primarily via word of mouth, their exceptional whiskeys have quickly become a standout in the category. As the distillery expands, construction is underway for a new blending facility, with plans to open a state-of-the-art distillery on the property by the end of 2024.

We are thrilled to welcome Limestone Farms Heritage Distilling Co. to Illinois and introduce their exquisite bourbons to a whole new audience.

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

BUYER RSVP REQUIRED

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.

RSVP Required

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

Zestos Garnacha from Madrid, Spain

Calma Crianza Tempranillo from Rioja, 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.

VIEW ALL STOCK

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