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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Fred E. Koehler, founder of Lynfred
4Winery, of Roselle, who passed away on July 16, 2011; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In the 1920s, his grandfather and father made wine
6for the family and local politicians; in 1975, Fred and his
7late wife Lynn made their first batch of wine in the basement
8of their home; in 1979, what began as a hobby that got out of
9hand led to the opening of the first winery in Illinois with 7
10varieties and 5,000 gallons of wine; and
 
11    WHEREAS, He had to overcome many obstacles along the
12journey, like converting a residence into a commercial
13business, convincing California vineyards to ship their grapes
142,000 miles to Illinois, and fighting to get Illinois laws
15changed to allow more freedom in producing various varieties
16and larger quantities; in 1985, his big break came when his
171983 Chardonnay earned national recognition by winning 'Best of
18Class and Best of Show' against other prestigious California
19wineries in a Reno, Nevada judging; one month later, the wine
20made history by winning Double Gold at the National Restaurant
21Show in Chicago; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson, the mayor

 

 

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1of Roselle, and State representative Kay Wojcik initiated the
2groundbreaking of the new Lynfred Winery in 1990; the new
3winery allowed Koehler's wine production to increase to almost
4100,000 gallons a year and more than 80 varietals; and
 
5    WHEREAS, As the winery continued to grow, Fred acquired a
6world-class winemaker from Chile to take over the winemaking so
7that he could run the business; during this time he was
8instrumental in the political workings of the emerging Illinois
9wine industry; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In 1999, he opened Tasting deVine (a Lynfred
11Winery satellite store) in Wheaton, followed by a luxurious bed
12and breakfast at the Roselle location in 2002; Tasting deVine
13Cellars was opened in Naperville in 2004; a new Lynfred Winery
14tasting room in Wheeling followed in 2008; and
 
15    WHEREAS, He started his career in the restaurant business
16when he managed Richard's Drive-In on West 95th Street in
17Chicago; he ventured into managing country clubs, including
18Elmhurst Country Club and Itasca Country Club; Lynfred Winery
19began while he was still working at Itasca Country Club; and
 
20    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynn;
21and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Fred Koehler is survived by his wife (and biggest
2fan), Valerie Koehler; his children, Fred Koehler, Jr. and
3Diane Koehler; his granddaughter, Katura Brooke Schramer; his
4brother, Arthur Koehler; his stepchildren; Karen, David, and
5Colin; his 10 grandchildren; his 6 great-grandchildren; and a
6congregation of wine lovers; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
9his family and friends, the passing of Fred Koehler; and be it
10further
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12presented to the family of Fred Koehler as a symbol of our
13sincere sympathy.