News & Events
April 28, 2025
FEATURED: Deep Vines & Deep Dish w/ Bedrock Wine Co.
Love it or debate it—some things inspire strong opinions. Just like Chicago’s deep dish pizza, Zinfandel has long been a source of passionate discussion. Big, bold, versatile, and deeply rooted in history, Zin tells a story that’s as complex (and satisfying) as your favorite slice.
On Monday, May 12th, we’re thrilled to welcome Chris Cottrell, partner at Bedrock Wine Co., for a special trade tasting celebrating the vibrant heritage of California Zinfandel.
A native New Yorker, Chris spent nearly a decade in fine wine retail before joining winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson MW at Bedrock, where a shared passion for history, vineyards, and great wine led him to leave Manhattan behind for Sonoma. Chris brings deep experience, infectious energy, and a genuine love for old vines—traits that have helped Bedrock grow into one of California’s most respected, mission-driven wineries.
Founded with a commitment to preserving California’s historic vineyards, Bedrock Wine Co. is dedicated to rehabilitating old vine plantings, many dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While Zinfandel often leads the way, Bedrock embraces the thrilling diversity of these old vineyards—planted as field blends from Carignan to Mataro to Semillon to Trousseau Gris—and crafts wines that balance California sun with freshness and poise.
Beyond old vines, Bedrock also explores the vast terroirs of California, producing delicate, perfumed rosé, barrel-fermented whites, and violet-tinged Syrah from Napa’s heartland to the gold hills of Amador, the beaches of Contra Costa, and every corner of Sonoma. Join us for this opportunity to meet Chris and taste the living history captured in every bottle.
Alongside Bedrock, we’re excited to open a lineup of red and white wines from other Zinfandel champions across California, many sourced from historic, old-vine vineyards. From everyday sippers to cellar-worthy icons, these wines showcase the incredible range of California terroir through the lens of its signature grape.
Zinfandel is California’s heritage—born in Croatia, linked to Italy’s Primitivo, and embraced by the Golden State—telling a story of survival, adaptability, and soul. Whether you’re drawn to bold, fruit-forward expressions or elegant, restrained styles, you’ll find something here that speaks to the enduring spirit of Zin.
Producers Include
Dancing Crow Vineyards
Davis Family Vineyards
Foxglove
Gehricke
Green & Red Vineyard
Las Jaras Wines
Les Lunes Wine
Linne Calodo
Little Trouble Wine Co.
Once & Future
Populis
Shebang!
Slacker Wines
Villa Creek
Please RSVP! Trade Only
11:30am to 1:30pm on Monday, May 12th
CreamHQ
2501 W. Washington Blvd, Ste 300
Chicago, IL 60612
March 04, 2025
FEATURED: SOIF WEEK! Off-Soif Events March 17th-23rd
Mord Details Here: Third Coast Soif Events Page
Where to find: Las Jaras
Thursday, March 20th
- Middle Brow
Friday, March 21st
- Vin Chicago - Elston
Saturday, March 22nd
- Dicey’s
Where to find: Martha Stoumen
Tuesday, March 18th
- UVAE
Wednesday, March 19th
- Printer’s Row
Thursday, March 20th
- Easy Does It
Friday, March 21st
- Grand Cru
Saturday, March 22nd
- Middle Brow
- All Together Now!
- Easy Does It
Where to find: Ruth Lewandowski
Thursday, March 20th
- Diversey
- Cellar Door Provisions
Saturday, March 22nd
- All Together Now!
- Red & White
After Third Coast Soif
- Middle Brow
Where to find: Les Lunes / Populis
Thursday, March 20th
- Diversey
Friday, March 21st
- Red & White
Saturday, March 22nd
- Los Naturales
After Third Coast Soif
- Middle Brow
Where to find: Modales
Saturday, March 22nd
- Middle Brow
Where to find: Shed Wines
Thursday, March 20th
- Atelier
Saturday, March 22nd
- Middle Brow
Where to find: BOS Wines
Wednesday, March 19th
- John’s Food & Wine
Thursday, March 20th
- Atelier
Saturday, March 22nd
- Middle Brow
Where to find: Hana Makgeolli
Wednesday, March 19th
- Mott Street
Thursday, March 20th
- Red & White
Friday, March 21st
- Parachute
Saturday, March 22nd
- Middle Brow
- Diversey
Where to find: C. Cassis
Wednesday, March 19th
- Mott Street
Thursday, March 20th
- Bar Parisette
Friday, March 21st
- Red & White
Where to find: Stranger Wine
Monday, March 17th
- Mi Tocaya
Wednesday, March 19th
- Galit
Thursday, March 20th
- California Clipper
Friday, March 21st
- Daisies
- Easy Does It
Saturday, March 22nd
- Middle Brow
Where to find: Mersel
Thursday, March 20th
- Beity
Friday, March 21st
- Mi Tocaya
Saturday, March 22nd
- Diversey
- Galit
Where to find: Heya
Thursday, March 20th
- Avec
Friday, March 21st
- Mi Tocaya
Saturday, March 22nd
- Diversey
- Galit
Where to find: Terra Sancta
Thursday, March 20th
- Avec
Friday, March 21st
- Mi Tocaya
Saturday, March 22nd
- Galit
February 05, 2025
FEATURED: CIRELLI (& friends) POP-UP!
It’s been a minute since Francesco Cirelli was in Chicago. He is such a thoughtful, kind and beautiful person making exceptional wines of energy and balance from his family farm in Abruzzo. Come see him at Cream on Monday from 12-2pm. He will be pouring and discussing all his wines including the super limited and special anfora cuvees.
Andy Pates will also open some of his and Francesco’s favorite Italian wines from the Cream Direct Imports portfolio - Le Fraghe, Istine, Montenidoli, Cascina delle Rose, i Clivi, Filippi, to name a few.
Industry Only RSVP with your Cream Sales Rep.
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
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
