When Frederick S. Wildman Sr. joined the ranks of Americans serving abroad in WWI, he had no idea it would plant the seed of his future. Stationed in France, Wildman became a decorated veteran, attaining the rank of first lieutenant in the Second Division of the U.S. Army and eventually achieving the rank of Colonel. But it was another newly formed passion that would propel him to prominence and change his life forever: the incredible fine wines and champagnes of France that he suddenly found himself exposed to, and an insatiable thirst to learn everything he possibly could about them.

Before the Colonel left France, he would be offered an opportunity that would put his connoisseurial skills to the test – by none other than General Pershing, Head of American Expeditionary Services. News of Wildman’s passion had spread and he would now be tasked with designing elaborate menus and pairings for Pershing and his officers.  Upon Wildman’s return to America, his passion for fine wine never waned and when Prohibition neared its end in 1933, Wildman jumped at the opportunity to purchase a century-old wine importer and fine-food purveyor: Bellows & Co.

Through Bellows & Co., Wildman built what would eventually become the foundation for his renowned portfolio of producers, traveling frequently to Europe to build relationships and establish lifelong partnerships. After selling Bellows & Co. to National Distilleries, Wildman made the next great decision of his life: forming Wildman & Sons, Ltd. in 1952. With mainstay suppliers like Champagne Pol Roger, Domaine Armand Rousseau, Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils, Domaine Leflaive, and Château Fuissé in their portfolio, Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd. continued to thrive until Wildman’s retirement in 1971.

Upon Wildman’s retirement, Frederick Wildman & Sons Ltd. became a subsidiary of Hiram Walker and continued to thrive. New partnerships were formed with Italian producer, Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV) – crafters of Nino Negri, Melini, and Santi – as well as Hugel et Fils from Alsace, Pascal Jolivet from Sancerre and Chartreuse, makers of the famed botanical elixir. This exciting growth and new global partnerships propelled Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd. into the position it is now known for as one of the United States’ leading importers of fine wine and spirits.

In 1993, then President of the company, Richard Cacciato, along with an investment group headed by GIV and five of the company’s French suppliers – Champagne Pol Roger, Hugel et Fils, Olivier Leflaive, Jean-Jacques Vincent/Château Fuissé and Pascal Jolivet – purchased Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd. This incredible vote of confidence from those already part of the Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd. family would continue to propel the company’s growth and success. With over 60 brands now under Frederick Wildman & Sons Ltd.’s umbrella, the company’s iconic Wildman oval has become a widely recognized symbol of quality and fine craftsmanship.