Our History
100 Years of Expertise
Our story begins well before the modern system of the Swedish wine and spirits market took shape.
In 1874, entrepreneur, Wilhelm Theodor Ewert set up Sweden’s first importing agency in Gothenburg partnering with several renowned wine and whisky companies. Seventeen years later, in 1891, Fritz Kramer, another young entrepreneur with an education in wine, established a similar business that was based in Stockholm.
Over the past century, since these two companies were first established, the Swedish alcohol market has undergone significant transformation. In the early 1900s, government reforms aimed at limiting and controlling alcohol consumption were implemented. Consequently, government owned monopolies for manufacturing, importing and selling alcohol were established, and limitations were placed upon restaurants ability to purchase and serve alcohol. A 40-year period of ration books ended in 1955 and restrictions were gradually liberalized.
Systembolaget was established in 1995 following Sweden’s entry into the European Union. Systembolaget is the national retail monopoly for alcohol, but it does not possess a monopoly on the importing and manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. That’s why importers like us exist, to select and import products into Sweden. Although a monopoly, Systembolaget is not driven by profit, but rather aims to sell alcohol responsibly while offering first-class service to consumers.
A Heritage of Resilience
The two companies, set up respectively by Ewert and Kramer, maintained their businesses throughout the turbulence of changing governmental policies in the first half of the 20th century and merged under the name StellanKramer in 1995. Today, StellanKramer is proud to be one of Sweden’s longest standing importers of wine and spirits.
A Future of Growth
Since the deregulation of alcohol importing in 1995, StellanKramer has become one of Sweden’s leading importers of wine and spirits. As an independent company, we work in close collaboration with producers to bring their products to Systembolaget as well as restaurants, hotels, cafés and bars (horeca).
As we look toward the future, we remain committed to serving as a trusted and profitable partner to our producers and customers while aspiring to embrace new and exciting opportunities to bring even greater variety, quality and joy to the Swedish alcohol market.
