Maximilian Riedel
Encyclopedia
Maximilian Josef Riedel (born in Vienna, Austria on September 13, 1977) is the CEO of Riedel Crystal of North America
, a branch of the glassmakers who, in the 1950s, introduced the concept of varietal specific wine glasses. The 11th generation of this glassmaking dynasty, Maximilian contributed to Riedel
Crystal by expanding international markets, conceiving the “O” stemless glass series, designing and co-designing several decanters and collections.
, Austria
, where the family business is headquartered.
At 20, Maximilian joined the family business, Riedel
Glas, training in sales and administration. He introduced Riedel into the Dubai market, and then spent two years in Paris at Riedel and its French importer, Ercuis, where he managed sales and conducted tastings. Since taking the reins of the North American operation, Maximilian has turned the U.S and Canada into the company’s largest export market.
In 2004, Riedel purchased F.X. Nachtmann, a German crystal maker who also owns Spiegelau. Maximilian launched Nachtmann’s crystal giftware in the U.S. market in 2005.
Since coming to the U.S., Maximilian has been profiled numerous times in publications such as Food & Wine
, Fortune
, The New York Times, The Miami Herald, Business 2.0
, House & Garden
and others. In 2004, Maximilian was featured on the cover of the Wine Enthusiast and was the subject of an extensive article about his role in the family business. The fine beverage publication, Mutineer Magazine, featured an exclusive interview with Mr. Riedel in its June/July 2009 Issue.
In 2004, he introduced his "O" series, a collection of stemless wine glasses designed for the oenophile but appropriate for the casual drinker. The series became the fastest selling new collection introduction in Riedel’s history. Today, the "O" collection has grown to include thirteen different glass designs including six varietal-specific wine glass shapes, sparkling wine, sake, spirits, water and even one for a martini. The “O” Chardonnay glass was selected for the permanent collection of the Corning Museum of Glass
.
Maximilian designed three decanters—his first was the swan neck Cornetto, which quickly became Riedel’s best selling decanter, followed by the “O” Thumbs-Up decanter, whose ergonomic design won the prestigious Good Design award presented by the Chicago Athenaeum for outstanding industrial design. In 2008, Maximilian designed the Eve decanter: a serpentine shaped, double-decanting piece.
Along with his father, Maximilian co-designed three decanters that reflect birds in flight. The limited edition Paloma, Swan (winner of the 2009 Red Dot Award for product design) and Flamingo decanters are free blown pieces.
in London on 7 and 8 September 2009 and attracted an audience of over 400, filling the venue to capacity over the two days. A return visit to Vinopolis
London
is planned for September 2010.
o The Thumbs-Up decanter won the 2005 Good Design Award, an international industrial and graphic design competition
• Intronisation at the Fete de La Fleur Vin Expo on June 21, 2007
• 2009 Red Dot Design Award
for product design
o The Swan Decanter was developed by Maximilian and Georg Riedel following a father-son trip to Venice
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, a branch of the glassmakers who, in the 1950s, introduced the concept of varietal specific wine glasses. The 11th generation of this glassmaking dynasty, Maximilian contributed to Riedel
Riedel
Riedel l), is a manufacturer of high-quality crystal wine glasses and related glass products based in Kufstein, Austria.Originally established in Bohemia in 1756, the company has been owned by the same family for more than 250 years...
Crystal by expanding international markets, conceiving the “O” stemless glass series, designing and co-designing several decanters and collections.
Biography
Born to Georg and Eva Riedel, Maximilian was raised along with his older sister, Laetizia, in KufsteinKufstein
Kufstein is a city in Tyrol, Austria, located along the river Inn, in the lower Inn valley, near the border with Bavaria, Germany, and is the site of a post World War II French sector United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration Displaced Persons camp.Kufstein is the second largest city...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, where the family business is headquartered.
At 20, Maximilian joined the family business, Riedel
Riedel
Riedel l), is a manufacturer of high-quality crystal wine glasses and related glass products based in Kufstein, Austria.Originally established in Bohemia in 1756, the company has been owned by the same family for more than 250 years...
Glas, training in sales and administration. He introduced Riedel into the Dubai market, and then spent two years in Paris at Riedel and its French importer, Ercuis, where he managed sales and conducted tastings. Since taking the reins of the North American operation, Maximilian has turned the U.S and Canada into the company’s largest export market.
In 2004, Riedel purchased F.X. Nachtmann, a German crystal maker who also owns Spiegelau. Maximilian launched Nachtmann’s crystal giftware in the U.S. market in 2005.
Since coming to the U.S., Maximilian has been profiled numerous times in publications such as Food & Wine
Food & Wine
Food & Wine is a monthly magazine published by American Express Publishing. It was founded in 1978 by Ariane and Michael Batterberry. It features recipes, cooking tips, travel information, restaurant reviews, chefs, wine pairings and seasonal/holiday content and has been credited by The New York...
, Fortune
Fortune (magazine)
Fortune is a global business magazine published by Time Inc. Founded by Henry Luce in 1930, the publishing business, consisting of Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated, grew to become Time Warner. In turn, AOL grew as it acquired Time Warner in 2000 when Time Warner was the world's largest...
, The New York Times, The Miami Herald, Business 2.0
Business 2.0
Business 2.0 was a monthly magazine publication founded by magazine entrepreneur Chris Anderson, Mark Gross, and journalist James Daly in order to chronicle the rise of the "New Economy"...
, House & Garden
House & Garden (magazine)
House & Garden was an American shelter magazine published by Condé Nast Publications that focused on interior design, entertaining, and gardening....
and others. In 2004, Maximilian was featured on the cover of the Wine Enthusiast and was the subject of an extensive article about his role in the family business. The fine beverage publication, Mutineer Magazine, featured an exclusive interview with Mr. Riedel in its June/July 2009 Issue.
Designs
In 2001, Maximilian Riedel created his first line of glassware—Riedel Restaurant, exclusively for the on-premise trade.In 2004, he introduced his "O" series, a collection of stemless wine glasses designed for the oenophile but appropriate for the casual drinker. The series became the fastest selling new collection introduction in Riedel’s history. Today, the "O" collection has grown to include thirteen different glass designs including six varietal-specific wine glass shapes, sparkling wine, sake, spirits, water and even one for a martini. The “O” Chardonnay glass was selected for the permanent collection of the Corning Museum of Glass
Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass, in Corning, New York, explores every facet of glass, including art, history, culture, science and technology, craft, and design....
.
Maximilian designed three decanters—his first was the swan neck Cornetto, which quickly became Riedel’s best selling decanter, followed by the “O” Thumbs-Up decanter, whose ergonomic design won the prestigious Good Design award presented by the Chicago Athenaeum for outstanding industrial design. In 2008, Maximilian designed the Eve decanter: a serpentine shaped, double-decanting piece.
Along with his father, Maximilian co-designed three decanters that reflect birds in flight. The limited edition Paloma, Swan (winner of the 2009 Red Dot Award for product design) and Flamingo decanters are free blown pieces.
Wine and Glass Tastings
Maximilian Riedel is on a world tour in 2009 through 2010, in a series of comparative wine and glass tastings. The first of these tastings took place at VinopolisVinopolis
Vinopolis is a London commercial visitor attraction operated by Wineworld London that presents the subject of wine and oenology through exhibits and wine tastings. It is located at Bankside, to the east of Southwark Bridge and close to London Bridge on the south side of the River Thames...
in London on 7 and 8 September 2009 and attracted an audience of over 400, filling the venue to capacity over the two days. A return visit to Vinopolis
Vinopolis
Vinopolis is a London commercial visitor attraction operated by Wineworld London that presents the subject of wine and oenology through exhibits and wine tastings. It is located at Bankside, to the east of Southwark Bridge and close to London Bridge on the south side of the River Thames...
London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
is planned for September 2010.
Awards
• 2005 Good Design Awardo The Thumbs-Up decanter won the 2005 Good Design Award, an international industrial and graphic design competition
• Intronisation at the Fete de La Fleur Vin Expo on June 21, 2007
• 2009 Red Dot Design Award
Red dot design award
The Red Dot Design Award is an international product design prize awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany. There are prize categories for product design, design agencies, and design concepts. Since 1955, designers and producers can apply for the prizes with the winners...
for product design
o The Swan Decanter was developed by Maximilian and Georg Riedel following a father-son trip to Venice