Riedel

Welcome to the “Mozart of Glass”! RIEDEL is a crystal glassworks steeped in over 265 years of expertise, 11 generations of history, tradition, and passion. Let’s discover its specialty: creating the most fashionable stemmed glasses exclusively dedicated to tasting all types of wine and spirits.

Founded in 1756 in the heart of Europe, RIEDEL is one of the largest manufacturers of varietal-specific wine glasses and crystal glass.

Well-known to wine and fine wine lovers, the family business is especially famous for its handcrafted collections of mouth-blown glass and its range of machine-made wine glasses designed for a truly exceptional wine experience.

Its mission: to reveal the elegance and aromatic diversity of grape varieties using only glass.

For over 11 generations, the RIEDEL family has supported winemakers and sommeliers, continually reinventing their creations to continue meeting the most distinguished expectations for finesse, precision, and quality.

The RIEDEL family describes the perfect wine glass as a transparent glass, without any pattern or decoration, with thin walls, such as this selection of Zalto glasses to discover.

RIEDEL, the story of a dynasty spanning over 265 years!

It all began at the end of the 17th century, when the RIEDEL brand was born from the ambition of Johann Christoph RIEDEL, a merchant of high-end Bohemian crystal objects at the time, to establish his own glassworks. More than ten generations of artisans would go on to uphold the legacy of this valiant founder, starting with his son, Johann Leopold RIEDEL.

As early as 1746, Johann Leopold RIEDEL oversaw several glassworks, including the Antoniwald glassworks in Zelcker. He was the creative genius behind the RIEDEL empire, whose name and reputation endure to this day.

The success was indisputable. By 1858, the family already owned eight glassworks in the Sudetenland region of Germany. In 1895, the very first RIEDEL logo was officially registered. This signature, dating from the Art Nouveau period of the late 19th century, identified RIEDEL glassware made in Bohemia between 1890 and 1925.

After the Second World War, the Czech state confiscated the family’s property. The company’s general director, Walter RIEDEL, was also imprisoned and only released ten years later, thanks to the intervention of the Swarovski family.

Once freed, Walter RIEDEL began anew in Austria. In 1956, together with his family, he took over the Tyrolean glassworks and brought a fresh, modern spirit to its creations.

Claus J. RIEDEL was the first successor to stand out in the late 1950s. He built his reputation by developing and marketing the functional wine glass—a stemmed glass designed specifically for serving wine, and wine alone.

George J. RIEDEL, Claus RIEDEL’s successor, is credited with making the brand truly famous by launching the “VINUM” collection in 1986. It was the first machine-made crystal glassware series exclusively tailored to grape varieties. With the creation of subsidiaries in North America, East Asia, Australia, and Europe, the brand expanded internationally and gained global recognition.

The year 2004 also marked a new chapter in RIEDEL’s history, with the acquisition of the German glass manufacturers Nachtmann and Spiegelau.

Now led by the 11th generation in the person of Maximilian J. RIEDEL, the company continues to make waves with its new stemless “O” collection.

At the same time, the brand remains a symbol of functional stemware designed to provide an exceptional tasting experience. Its headquarters in Kufstein, Austria, have become more than just a glassworks—they now represent a tourist destination whose prestige and reputation cross borders.

RIEDEL and Its Iconic Wine Glass Collections

An established name with a reputation firmly rooted in the world of glassmaking, RIEDEL offers a wine glass service tailored to every occasion.

RIEDEL glasses are innovative pieces crafted with artisanal know-how, meticulously designed to enhance the aroma of every sip of fine wine.

From machine-blown glasses to ultra-modern stemless crystal tumblers, discover these essential pieces that bring a touch of elegance to every wine tasting experience.

The RIEDEL SOMMELIERS

The RIEDEL SOMMELIERS was the very first glass collection in history specifically designed for different types of wine and sparkling wine.

This signature RIEDEL glass has left a permanent mark on the glassmaking industry, with a variety of shapes for red wine, spirits, champagne… It was, and remains, the world’s first wine glass collection created with the aim of enhancing the qualities of each grand cru.

Revolutionary in design, the SOMMELIERS series was the creation of the 9th RIEDEL generation, embodied by Claus J. RIEDEL in 1958. This master designer refined every detail of the glass — from bowl to base, through to the stem — and was the first to highlight the impact of bowl shape on the tasting experience of alcoholic beverages.

Lightly mouth-blown and free of ornamentation, the SOMMELIERS glass forever changed the design of stemware.

To develop it, Claus J. RIEDEL collaborated with seasoned wine tasters. From these collaborations emerged a major discovery: wine served in the right glass, with a bowl specifically shaped for its varietal, tasted noticeably more balanced and flavorful than when served in a standard glass.

To better appreciate every wine, he launched the SOMMELIERS collection based on the Bauhaus principle: “form follows function.” Each shape is designed to align with the characteristics of the grape variety it is intended for.

Now an icon in the glassmaking world, the SOMMELIERS series — known as “the wine’s best friend” — marks RIEDEL’s first great impact on the global wine glass market.

Handcrafted and varietal-specific, this pioneering range includes numerous forms for wine, champagne, and spirits.

RIEDEL SOMMELIERS Black Series Collector’s Edition

A true gem among gems, the RIEDEL SOMMELIERS Black Series was created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the SOMMELIERS range in 2013.

This exclusive collector’s edition features glasses with a striking design, highlighting the unique and refined character of the SOMMELIERS series.

Handmade from fine crystal, the Black Series Collector’s Edition transforms every sip of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Sparkling Wine, Riesling, or Montrachet into a celebration.

The RIEDEL VINUM

Created in 1986, VINUM was the very first machine-made glass designed for specific grape varieties. It was developed by George J. RIEDEL, the 10th generation of the family.

Modelled after SOMMELIERS, the VINUM series was conceived in tasting workshops with a performance-driven approach: it is the wine, not the glassmaker, that determines the shape.

As the RIEDEL motto goes, “A great wine experience begins with the right glass.”

The O Wine Tumbler

Another standout in the world of glassware, the RIEDEL “O” collection redefines the wine-tasting experience with its generous size and perfectly stemless form.

Based on the characteristic shapes of the VINUM collection, this stemless tumbler is the perfect everyday wine glass.

With a sleek, minimalist design, the O collection is RIEDEL’s most casual and trendy innovation to date. More than functional, it allows the bouquet to unfold freely while smoothing out the rough edges of the wine.

The O glass enhances fruit flavors, reduces acidity and bitterness from tannins, and brings overall harmony to the wine. There’s a model for every grape variety — from Cabernet/Merlot and Pinot/Nebbiolo to Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling — as well as for whisky, water, and more.

The RIEDEL WINE WINGS

A tribute to pleasure and sophistication, the WINE WINGS collection is another treasure from RIEDEL, launched in 2020.

It features a flat, extended base that resembles a wing, designed to optimize the surface contact between wine and air. This improves evaporation and heightens the aromas of fine wines.

The precisely curved walls of the glass capture and channel each grape variety’s aromatic profile, offering a tasting experience like no other. Pinot Noir, Syrah, Riesling, Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot… every sip is an invitation to delight.

The RIEDEL Fatto a Mano Performance

Both spectacular and refined, the RIEDEL Fatto a Mano Performance collection impresses with its original design.

Launched in 2019, this series meets every demand in both form and function.

A new revolution in modern glassmaking rooted in the culture of this leading brand, Fatto a Mano Performance includes a wide range of exceptional RIEDEL glasses, offered in a variety of vibrant stem colors for varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Riesling.

The RIEDEL LAUDON

A standout release from 2020, RIEDEL’s LAUDON collection showcases richly colored tumblers that shine like gemstones.

These collector’s glasses catch the eye with both their bold hues and their luxurious cut crystal design that sparkles in the light.

Ideal for whisky, water, or cocktails, the LAUDON glasses add a stylish touch to any setting.