Marion businessman launches new wine product

A Marion businessman has launched a new product for those who want to drink wine while reclining outdoors in their lawn furniture or folding chairs.

Chuck Kroemer, founder and CEO of Marion-based Kroemer Five Star Enterprises, said Vinaporte fits securely in most standard cup holders. The design secures the wine glass in a steady, vertical position, minimizing spills and movement of the wine glass.

Kroemer said he came up with the idea for the product three and a half years ago.

"I had a personal need," Kroemer said. "I enjoy wine, as do a lot of my friends. We just gather (for) music in the park or a campfire in the backyard, and we were always just there holding our wine glass.

"We enjoy using a wine glass just because wine smells better, tastes better in an actual wine glass."

He added that he came up with an idea after "a futile search of looking for something."

Manufactured in Marengo, the plastic holder is available at the

First Avenue Winehouse in Cedar Rapids and online at www.vinaporte.com.