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 second of a seven-year series.

The 2019 In Hoc “Wisdom” Founders Red Wine is an artful red blend created by winemaker Todd Heth. This wine exhibits dark blackberry, bing cherry, and plum notes perfectly into layers of coffee and tobacco. The finish is dry with long-lasting berry fruit. Silky but firm tannins, this wine is enjoyable now but has the ability to age well in the cellar.  The second bottling honors the wisdom of Founder Thomas Cowan Bell.

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

History:

In 1855, Thomas Cowan Bell became one of the seven founders of Sigma Chi at the age of 23. He was considered an "elder statesman" of the fraternity along with fellow founder Daniel William Cooper, who was 25. As a student at Miami, Bell lived in the Oxford home of his Aunt Lizzie. Because all of the other members of the Fraternity at one time or another lived in Aunt Lizzie's place or took meals there, the house became known as "the first Chapter house of Sigma Chi." 

According to his fraternity, Bell is best known for his "... exemplification of the qualities of learning and friendship." In 1933, Sigma Chi erected and dedicated the Founders' Memorial Monument to him in the San Francisco National Cemetery, where he was buried. After his career in education, Bell retired to Oakland, California, and renewed his connection to the Sigma Chi fraternity. He did this through the Alpha Beta chapter at the University of California at Berkeley. Bell attended Sigma Chi's semi-centennial celebration in Oxford, Ohio, in 1905, along with the three other surviving founders: James Parks Caldwell, Daniel William Cooper, and Benjamin Piatt Runkle.

Bell is now the namesake of the Thomas Cowan Bell Scholastic Foundation, located in San Jose, California, which awards college scholarships to both members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and San Jose State University students. 

Limited Production: 500 Cases

Retail Price: $95.00 / 750 ml

1855 Club Member Price: $75.00 / 750 ml