The story begins in 1756 in Bohemia and continues right down to the united Europe of today, taking in on the way some of the most dramatic events in European history. The Riedel Family has been in the glass business for 300 years, with 11 generations keeping the family business intact.

In 1678, when Johann Christoph Riedel was born in the Bohemian town of NeuschloB, no one could have guessed that this was also the birth of one of the greatest glass enterprises in the world. This Bohemian glass merchant was the starting point for a direct line through the generations down to today’s corporate head Georg J. Riedel and his son Maximillian. Each Riedel generation in this long chain has been able to contribute his personal skills and views to expand the company’s success and make it what it is today.

Johann Carl Riedel, 2nd generation (1701 – 1781) was a gilder and glasscutter. He operated his own workshop refining glassware.

Johann Leopold Riedel, 3rd generation (1726-1800), made his fortune in the Seven Year War (1756-1763) fought between the Austrians and the Prussians over Bohemia and Schlesia.

The demand for window panes needed for rebuilding the surrounding cities and villages destroyed during the way, offered Johann the chance to found his first glass factory, which he opened in May 17, 1756.

The next generation, Anton Leopold Riedel (1761-1821) radically changed his father’s production from window panes to pure luxury goods, such as chandeliers and ornate glassware.

Franz Xaver Riedel, 5th generation (1789-1844) became a famous engraver in his youth. He signed his works of art, which are available at auctions even today.

His main success derived from his addition to unknown colours to glass, using Uranium to produce fluorescent colours, yellow and green, known in literature as "Annagelb and Annagrun", which he named after his daughter.

Josef Riedel The Elder, 6th generation (1816-1894) had great gifts, and the fact that he was born in the time of the industrial revolution proved to be very much in his favour.

Josef Riedel The Younger (1862-1924) was an outstanding chemist and mechanical engineer, creating a remarkable portfolio of 600 different glass colours.

Walter Riedel (1895-1974) suffered through two great wars, which had a great impact on his destiny. He was forced to change his citizenship four times due to the unfortunate political state of affairs. In 1918, Bohemia became part of the Czech Republic and Walter Riedel and the German speaking Sudetan became Czech citizens. Around 1930 the political and economical conflict between the Sudeten and the Czechs turned violent which led to the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Nazi regime in 1938. In this time the Riedel’s emerged as a leading manufacturer of perfume flacons and colour overlaid gift items and chandeliers. Walter Riedel inherited the mechanical genius of his father, developing extremely advanced mould techniques. Those products were then refined by cutting, being mounted onto metal then wired for electricity.

The war and the Nazis commanded the industry to change from luxury goods to strategic war products. Walter Riedel and part of his team worked on picture tubes, part of the radar used to monitor airspace. This was a unique technological achievement for that time, with Walter increasing the available diameter of the tube from 38cm to 76cm.

This invention became his destiny. When the Russian army conquered Berlin in 1945, they found an intact tube and were very keen to find the scientist. In this era of Stalin, they forced Walter Riedel to sign a five year working contract and held him prisoner in Russia for 10 years.

By the end of the Great War in 1945, the Riedel’s property and companies were confiscated and nationalized by the Czechs. The Riedel’s lost their home and empire.

Walter Riedel returned to Austria in 1955. The Swarovski family, with whom the Riedel’s were very friendly, hosted Walter Riedel and offered him and his son, Claus Josef Riedel, a new start in Kufstein, Austria, by reopening a glass factory, specializing in mouth blown items, in 1956.

Claus Josef Riedel (1925-2004) had a vision. He changed stemware from traditional coloured and cut glass to plain, unadorned, thin blown, long stemmed wine glasses.

He gained immediate recognition from sophisticated customers and museums. Many design awards signaled that a new era had begun, museums bought pieces for their exhibitions. The Museum of Modern Art in New York, which today still has Riedel in their permanent collection.

Based on his unique designs, Claus Riedel was the first in history to recognize the effect of shapes on the perception of alcoholic beverages. His influence has changed the appearance of stemware forever. His master piece "Sommeliers" was introduced in Orvieto, 30 years ago, the first ever stemware line to be based on the character of wine.

Christmas has arrived at The Wine Store. It is that time of year again, The Wine Store has just finished decorating its store with this years range of exclusive Christmas Gifts and Decorations.

Our 2009 Christmas Hampers are also on display in the cellar so be sure to call by and have a look at the extensive range available.

If you haven't started planning your Corporate Gifts for this year contact The Wine Store on 08 6424 9500 and have one of our Corporate Account Managers visit your office to discuss your requirements in details.

2009 Vintage White Wines are here. There are some fantastic new season whites coming our of Margaret River at the moment and the consensus from many of the wineries is that 2009 will go down as one of the best vintages Margaret River has had.

Some great 2009 White Wines include:

Sandalford Margaret River Classic White

West Cape Howe Semillon Sauvigon Blanc

Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc

Moss Brothers Moses Rock Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Enjoy.