With America’s enthusiasm for wine, it seems only natural that vineyards are a popular investment, and who better than recognizable names for those wine labels. Some of these well-known personalities are naturals to associate with in the wine industry, and some might surprise you. But make no mistake, from the lush greenery of Napa Valley California to the beautiful rolling hills of Italy and southern France, vineyards can be a fascinating and challenging hobby or full-blown industry for their owners. These are just some of those who are participating:
Francis Ford Coppola, successful film director, has taken to the wine business like a true Italian, with Rubicon Estate Winery in Napa Valley (renamed Inglenook in 2011), and runs there as well.
GĂ©rard Depardieu, star of French cinema, has approached his career as a viticulturist with as much enthusiasm as a leading role in the cinema. After buying Chateau de Tigne, Anjou, in the Loire Valley, France (where else?), he has put his acting career on the back burner while overseeing his beloved vineyards.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bought a vineyard called Chateau Miraval in Provence, France, promoting their Brangelina Rose wine; but since their separation, who gets the vineyard is at stake.
Mike Ditka, legendary Chicago Bears football coach, for whom it was only natural that he partner in making wines to serve in his steakhouses; located in Mendocino County, California, they specialize in full-bodied red wines to enjoy with red meat and pork chops (Mike’s favorites). Like many celebrities who simply lend his name (and his money) to the vineyards, “Iron Mike” isn’t picking or stomping grapes, but he enjoys reading (and tasting) every once in a while.
Legendary football player Joe Montana, who was associated with Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia for a long time, created a joint venture called Montagia, (Montana, get it?) located in Napa CA.
Dan Marino, another great football player, lends his name to his hallmark Vintage 13 Marino Estates, in Washington State along the Columbia River. The sprawling vineyard, producing award-winning full-bodied reds, is called Passing Time, and what better way than to savor his own private label after being pummeled for 17 years as a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
Martha Stewart announced a collaboration with the American winery Gallo to produce wines of commercial value that will be sold at Kmart. Now, Martha herself doesn’t play an active role, but her name has worldwide appeal, and Martha does everything with good taste, including her moderately priced wines.
Actor, comedian and all-around talented Dan Aykroyd owns and operates Dan Aykroyd Vineyards in Canada, his homeland, which produces hearty, moderately priced reds and several white varieties, with Aykroyd himself as an enthusiastic participant. (Yes, despite the weather, Canada produces some first-class wines.)
Mario Batali, Italian celebrity chef, owns a vineyard in Tuscany, Italy (where else?) called La Mozza, where he rolls up his sleeves and approaches winemaking with the same enthusiasm that he cooks in New York City and Vegas.
Michael Chiarello, another celebrity chef and restaurateur from Yountville, CA, lives on his family’s vineyard, presents his fine wines at his Bottega restaurant, and, like any good Italian, is a hands-on vintner; His small winery, Chiarello Family Vineyards, produces five estate wines from the 20 acres he personally oversees.
Madonna, a pop singer, took a different route by buying a vineyard in Michigan’s Leelanau Pennisula, where her parents (the Ciccones) operate this small vineyard north of Traverse City that bears her name. It’s not a place you want to live in the winter, but it produces excellent grapes in the short summer months.
Fess Parker, the former Davy Crockett, left Hollywood in the early 1970s to pursue a career in the wine and hospitality business after a successful, if short, career as a coon hat pioneer and did very well. The vineyard, in Los Olivos, near Santa Barbara CA, lives on, still maintained by his family (but do they wear coonskin hats?).
Sting (popular British singer and lead vocalist for the rock group Police) spends much of his time at his Tenuta il Palagio vineyard, located in Tuscany, Italy. Sting and his wife Trudie actually make their home on the estate, which was old and dilapidated before Sting lovingly restored it and no doubt serenades those lucky grapes to help them grow. Taking an active role in producing fine wines, he tells those vines, “I’ll be watching you,” and he certainly is.
Of course, no list would be complete without Thomas Jefferson, third president of the US. He was not only America’s first foodie, but a major collector and importer of fine French wines. Until the early 1800s, most settlers made and drank hard apple cider, but Jefferson was a major contributor to America’s love affair with wine. While Jefferson himself was never really in the business, he served and oversaw its imports with great care and was certainly a connoisseur of fine wines, preparing America for the wine revolution to come decades later, and we thank him for that.
So next time you’re in a wine shop, you might want to take a few minutes to peruse the shelves, spotting some overlooked celebrity offerings. You may be pleasantly surprised by the new discoveries.