30-Jun-19 – City Winery’s first female Head Winemaker is working on a new wine made from grapes grown in Chicago.

Caroline Schrader will oversee wine programs at City Winery’s locations on the Chicago Riverwalk and in the West Loop. She replaces Robert Kowal, who is now Head Winemaker for City Winery in Nashville.

Her first initiative will be to launch a first-of-its-kind Rosé of Chambourcin, described by the winery as a “fruit-forward, vegan rosé.”

“There’s a grape-growing industry in Illinois, though relatively small, making great wines with local fruit,” said Schrader (left). “With rosé being trendy to drink during the warmer months, I think more people will be open to trying an unfamiliar varietal. The Rosé of Chambourcin is approachable, fruit-forward, and bone dry. It will please a wide array of palettes.”

Schrader has been with City Winery for five years and was its Assistant Winemaker. In 2013, she won a double gold medal for winemaking at the Illinois State Fair. She is a member of the Guild of Sommeliers, a nonprofit international organization for wine professionals.

Before her career in wine, she was an architect at Solomon Cordwell Buenz in Chicago.

Founded in 2008, City Winery has locations in Atlanta, Boston, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The winery/restaurant has been in Chicago since 2012.