The Founders Red Series commemorates the seven young men who wanted something better in a fraternity during their collegiate experience. From that recognition, a dream was born - the fraternity of Sigma Chi. This wine is the first of a seven-year series.

The 2018 In Hoc “Courage” Founders Red Wine is a master blend by winemaker Todd Heth. It has a beautiful core of currant, cherry, and plum fruit which makes the wine approachable now. It also has the structure to be aged, should you wish to cellar your wine and see your Founders series accumulate. The first bottling honors the courage of Founder Benjamin Piatt Runkle.

This bottle is signed by Michael Codina, MD, CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO 1993, 22nd Grand Historian. 

History:

Benjamin Piatt Runkle, MIAMI (OHIO) 1857, was 18 years old when Sigma Chi was founded and was, perhaps, the most rebellious of the seven Founders - noted by throwing his TKE badge on the table during an 1855 dinner meeting and his adamant stance when confronted by DKE alumni. He, along with Founder William Lewis Lockwood, MIAMI (OHIO) 1858, designed Sigma Chi’s badge and convinced the Founders to base the Fraternity’s symbolism after the vision of Constantine.

After graduation, he served nobly in the Civil War, quickly rising to the rank of colonel and later major general. At the battle of Shiloh, he was seriously wounded and left for dead, leading to premature accounts of his death in newspapers; his wounds forced him to retire from military service, and later in life, he was ordained as an Episcopal priest. He served Sigma Chi as its seventh Grand Consul from 1895-1897, making him the only founder to hold the Fraternity’s highest office. He entered the Chapter Eternal on Sigma Chi’s 61st birthday at the age of 79. He is remembered for his courage: first in college by standing firm on his principles and later on the battlefield.

Limited Production: 425 Cases

Retail Price: $95.00 / 750 ml

1855 Club Member Price: $75.00 / 750 ml