Stölzle Lausitz: “fired up” about making glasses
Star Wine List’s newest global partner is historic glass producer Stölzle Lausitz. Founded in 1889, this family-run company is the last remaining glassworks of its type in Lusatia, on Germany’s eastern border. We meet CEO Leopold Grupp.
Stölzle Lausitz has been using Lusatia’s abundance of raw materials to make quality glassware since the end of the nineteenth century. By 1900, the region – which spans the German states of Saxony and Brandenburg, and the Polish voivodeships of Lower Silesia and Lubusz – boasted 67 similar glassworks (for hollow glass production) and yet today, just one remains: Stölzle Lausitz.
“At Stölzle Lausitz, we produce our glasses using advanced machine-made processes, combined with decades of glassmaking know-how,” says CEO Leopold Grupp. “Everything starts with raw materials and fire – a lot of fire – and ends with highly precise, thin-walled glasses that feel almost mouth-blown.”
Grupp took over as CEO in 2022 – the seventh generation of his family to lead the business. Having previously worked in various departments, from operations to strategy, Grupp credits his experience on “the shop floor” with enabling him to take on this important role. Today, his father and two brothers work in different factories “but all together,” while his mother “is the backbone of it all.”
The lead-free crystal glasses are available across Germany and elsewhere in Europe, in the USA, and in South America. The preferred choice of many top-end restaurants and hotels, it is the elegant and yet durable design that has helped their popularity over time, which the company manages by respecting tradition (and fire!) on the one hand and, on the other, habitually adopting the newest techniques available.
Grupp cites the Quatrophil range as his core line. “It defines the Stölzle Lausitz design language and, alongside our handmade range Q1, was the first series to emulate handmade glasses using machine production. It works exceptionally well from a sensory perspective and was a true first mover for the company, shaping what has since become our present. Today, high-end machine-made wine glasses are part of our DNA and where our precision and expertise truly shine.
Born in fire
What does your motto, “born in fire” mean to you?
“Fire is at the heart of everything we do – glass simply wouldn’t exist without it. For me, “born in fire” also stands for energy, transformation and a certain mindset: always evolving, never standing still, but most importantly being “fired up” about making glasses as well as the “fire” in our hearts as a team!”
Why is using fire important, as a method, for Stölzle Lausitz?
“It allows us to achieve consistency, durability and precision at scale, without losing the elegance and finesse you’d normally expect from handcrafted glassware. For us, it’s about making great designs accessible and reliable.”
How have you found it, taking over the company?
“Intense, exciting and humbling at the same time. You step into a role with a lot of responsibility and history, but also with huge opportunities to shape the future. In the end, it turns out this was what I was looking for in my life and it’s been the best experience so far. Creating something amazing with incredible people together is the best!”
What advice did you get from your family when you became CEO?
“‘Listen for 100 days and ask questions. After that, start talking.’ Basically: listen carefully, respect the people and the craft, and don’t be afraid to make decisions. Tradition is very important, but it shouldn’t slow you down.”
What are your plans for the future?
“To further strengthen our design and sensory language, expand internationally and keep developing the best possible glasses that truly work for professionals as well as for people at home.”
Who would enjoy your glassware?
“Anyone who enjoys good drinks and values design, function and durability – from sommeliers and bartenders to people hosting friends at home. People who enjoy togetherness through beautifully lived-in tables, with quality food, quality wine and quality glassware.”
Do you have a personal favourite, out of everything you make?
“We’ve recently developed a Grand Cru Bordeaux glass that is truly remarkable and possibly unprecedented for a machine-made glass. It’s exceptionally fine and thin, yet still generously sized. It really is spectacular.”
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