EST. 1980

Wein-Bauer Imports is a family owned and operated Wine and Spirits import company based in Chicago, Illinois since August of 1980. The Bauer family has a deep-rooted history in winemaking prior to starting their import company. Manfred Bauer, founder and owner of WBI, worked in his family’s wine cellar before beginning his journey to bring them to the U.S. market. Manfred was a third-generation winemaker whose vision was to bring not only his family’s wines to an international level but to be an ambassador of European wines. 

Wein-Bauer’s portfolio primarily focuses on import wines from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, France, and Argentina on a national level across 48 U.S. states. Their entrepreneurial mindset is still the driving force, as Manfred, his son Christopher, and daughter Sabrina continue to find innovative, value-driven and family-oriented producers. Wein-Bauer currently operates with regional offices on the East Coast, West Coast, South, and in the Midwest. They also have brokers in key states to ensure proper servicing of their nationwide distribution network. 

This year, Wein-Bauer undertook their largest portfolio expansion in company history, now offering Austrian craft spirits, allocated wines from Wachau, high end Burgundy wines and partnering with internationally acclaimed wineries such as Bodega Arzuaga. As we expand our horizons, one thing remains the same; we are not a corporation, we’re a family business. We pull our orders by hand, treat everyone like family and we will continue to represent those who share our passion for fine wine and spirits.