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 California’s Napa Valley to the beautiful rolling hills of Italy and the South of France, vineyards can be a fascinating and challenging hobby or full-fledged industry for their owners. These are just some of those who are participating:
Francis Ford Coppola, successful film director, has taken on the wine business like a true Italian, with Rubicon Estate Winery in Napa Valley (renamed Inglenook in 2011), and he also manages there.
Gérard Depardieu, star of French cinema, has approached his career as a winegrower 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 as he oversees 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, whoever got the vineyard is at stake.
Mike Ditka, legendary Chicago Bears football coach, for whom it made sense to partner in making wines to serve at 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 vineyards, “Iron Mike” isn’t picking or stomping grapes, but he does enjoy the information (and tasting) from time to time.
Legendary football player Joe Montana, who partnered with Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia for a long time, created a joint venture called Montagia, (Montana, you know?) 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 vast vineyard, which produces award-winning full-bodied reds, is called Passing Time, and what better way than to savor his own private label after being hammered for 17 years as Miami Dolphins quarterback.
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 making moderately priced wines of her own.
Dan Aykroyd, actor, comedian and talent of all kinds, owns and operates Dan Aykroyd Vineyards in his native Canada, producing hearty, moderately priced reds and several white varieties, with Aykroyd himself an enthusiastic participant. (Yes, despite the weather, Canada produces some world-class wines.)
Mario Batali, celebrated Italian 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 he cooks with in New York City. and Las Vegas.
Michael Chiarello, another celebrity chef and restaurateur from Yountville, CA, lives on his family’s vineyard, showcases his fine wines at his Bottega restaurant, and like a good Italian, is a hands-on viticulturist; his small winery, Chiarello Family Vineyards, produces five estate wines from the 20 acres he personally oversees.
Pop singer Madonna took a different route by purchasing a vineyard on Michigan’s Leelanau Pennisula, where her parents (the Cyclones) operate this small vineyard north of Traverse City that bears their 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, albeit short, career as a raccoon hat pioneer and he did very well. The vineyard, in Los Olivos, near Santa Barbara CA, is still alive, still maintained by his family (but do they wear raccoon fur hats?).
Sting (popular British singer and lead singer of 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 the production of fine wines, he says to those vines, “I’ll be watching you,” and no doubt he 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 colonists 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 his imports with great care and was certainly a connoisseur of fine wines, preparing America for the wine revolution that was to come decades later, and we thank him for it.
So the next time you’re in a wine store, you might want to take a few minutes to peruse the shelves, uncovering some overlooked celebrity deals. You may be pleasantly surprised by new discoveries.
