List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
Introduction Cliff Richard promotes his wine in Denmark, 2015.New Zealand actor Sam Neill owns a winery in the Central Otago region of New Zealand.The trend of '''celebrities owning wineries and vineyards''' is not a recent phenomenon, though it has certainly garnered more attention in today's Information Age. In ancient Greek and Roman times, the leading philosophers, playwrights, politicians and generals of the day often owned vineyards for personal use. Usually celebrities have a large amount of wealth accumulated, which makes the significant investment of opening a winery or vineyard negligible.There are many reasons that celebrities gravitate to the world of wine. Starting a winery or vineyard, as with nearly any business, can offer some tax benefits. Some celebrities, such as the Italian-American director Francis Ford Coppola, come from a family with a long history of winemaking. Some, such as the British singer Cliff Richard, have been lifelong wine enthusiasts and enter the wine industry in order to do something that they enjoy. Others like the challenge of a new enterprise. Some celebrities enter the wine industry simply because they can.While some celebrities, such as the American actors Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, British association football star David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham, own vineyards and wine estates solely for personal use, some celebrities leverage their name recognition as a selling tool in the wine industry. Today celebrity-owned wineries can be lucrative business endeavors. In 2007, Nielsen research of supermarket wine purchases showed that sales of celebrity wines were up 19% over previous years.
Types of celebrity involvement American musician Dave Matthews owns a winery in Virginia.Celebrities have different degrees of involvement in their wineries and vineyards. Nearly all of them partner, in some form of collaboration, with a winery or winemaker who is already established in the industry. An example of this is retired American football player Joe Montana, who partnered with longtime Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia to make their joint venture wine Montagia. While Sbragia oversees most of the viticultural and winemaking tasks, Montana is involved in deciding on the overall "vision" of the wine and participates in tasting and blending trials.Similarly, the celebrity may own their own "wine brand" that is produced with their collaborating winery instead of owning a physical winery or wine estate itself. An example of this is the brand Mike Ditka Wines, owned by former American football coach Mike Ditka. The wine is produced in partnership at the physical winemaking facilities of the Mendocino Wine Company. While it could be described as a "winery", technically Mike Ditka Wines is a "wine brand" owned by Ditka, who participates in blending and tasting trials. Other celebrities, such as French actor Gérard Depardieu, are very active in both the production and business dealings of the winery. Depardieu, who owns wineries in several countries across the globe, even has his passport listing his occupation as ''vigneron''.Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi owns two vineyards that sell grapes to California producers.Some celebrities may only have "legacy" attachments to the wines that bear their names. One example is the Gallo wine brand MacMurray Ranch, which uses some grapes grown on a California ranch that was once owned by the American actor Fred MacMurray. Under his ownership, the ranch was dedicated mostly to raising horses. After MacMurray died, his family sold most of the land to the Gallo family, but are still involved with the winery.Another "legacy" celebrity who was more intimately connected with the winery that now carries his name was the American actor Raymond Burr. Burr bought the ranch with his domestic partner and planted grapevines for wine production before he died in 1993.His partner, Robert Benevides, renamed the estate after Burr and continued making wines featuring his name.John Elway with winemakers Rob Mondavi Jr and Mari CoyleSome celebrities lend their names to a winery for a special one-time wine production. Mexican-American musician Carlos Santana partnered with the Champagne house G.H. Mumm to create a sparkling wine in 2005 titled Santana DVX. While Santana helped select the final blend and received royalties for the use of his name and image, he doesn't particularly "own" the brand nor does he continue to be involved in the wine industry.American musician Bob Dylan participated in a similar arrangement with the Italian winery Fattoria Le Terrazze. Dylan gave permission for the winery to use his name, likeness and album art to create a wine that pays tribute to his 1974 album ''Planet Waves''. In 2007, American entrepreneur Martha Stewart announced a collaboration with the American winery Gallo to produce value-marketed wines to be sold at Kmart, which also featured her Martha Stewart Living line of housewares. In 2009, British chef Gordon Ramsay allowed a Bordeaux winery to use his name, without royalties, to celebrate the release of their 10th vintage.Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway found his way to wine ownership in 2015 as an restaurateur through his four Colorado based steak house appropriately named,  Elway's. The wines are now sold in 35 states. Proceeds from their wines benefit a veterans organization called Team Rubicon.
List of celebrities ''Below is a partial listing of celebrities who own commercial wineries, wine brands or vineyards. This is not a listing of celebrities who only own vineyards for private use.'' Celebrity Winery/vineyard Location Notes Reference Dan Abrams  Ev&Em Vineyards  Laurel, New York  Purchased existing vineyard, renovated and renamed Ev&Em in 2021    Stephen Amell  Nocking Point Wines  Walla Walla Valley, Washington  Columbia Valley wines; co-owned with Walla Walla native Andrew Harding   Mario Andretti  Andretti Winery  Napa Valley, California  Founded winery with Joe Antonini, CEO of sponsor Kmart during final eight years of CART career (1987–94) Francisco J. Ayala   Central Valley, California   The renown biology professor grows Perot Lego, Petite Sirah, Touriga Nacional, Pinot Noir and other varieties for local wineries. Dan Aykroyd  Dan Aykroyd Wines  Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada  Collaboration with Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits in Autumn 2008  Ross Bagdasarian  Sierra Wine Corp.  Vallecito, Placer County, California  Dusty Baker  Baker Family Wines  Granite Bay, Placer County, California Started in 2013 with winemaker & managing partner Chik Brenneman Antonio Banderas  Anta Banderas  Ribera del Duero, Spain  Banderas acquired 50% shareholding of Bodega Anta Natura, located in the town of Burgos Villalba de DueroElizabeth Banks  Archer RooseVeneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy; Provence, France;  Casablanca Valley, Chile; Mendoza, Argentina Co-owner Drew Barrymore Carmel Road Monterey County, California   In partnership with Carmel Road Winery  Lidia Bastianich  Bastianich Winery  Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy  Collaboration with son and Italian restaurateur and author Joe Bastianich  Mario Batali  La Mozza  Magliano in Toscana, Italy  Collaboration with Italian winemaker and author Joe Bastianich    Gérard Bertrand   Gérard Bertrand Estates  Languedoc-Roussillon, France  Former rugby union player representing France and renown winemaker Drew Bledsoe  Doubleback Wine  Walla Walla Valley, Washington  Originally collaborated with Washington winemaker Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellars. Since the 2015 vintage, Bledsoe has collaborated with Figgins' protege Josh McDaniels. Mary J. Blige Sun GoddessFriuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy  Collaboration with the renowned Fantinel Winery. Jon Bon Jovi   Hampton Water Wine CoLanguedoc-Roussillon, France Bon Jovi and his son Jesse, partnered with winemaker Gérard Bertrand.Carole Bouquet  Maison Carole Bouquet  Pantelleria, Italy   Lorraine Bracco  Bracco Wines  Tuscany, Italy  Produces wines from several Italian wine regions  Kix Brooks Arrington Vineyards  Arrington, Tennessee Former 95-acre cattle ranch converted to winery with 16-acre vineyard open to the publicKevin Buckler   Adobe Road Winery  Petaluma, California  Opened in 2002 with winemaker Garrett Martin   Galvão Bueno  Bueno Wines  Candiota, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Montalcino, Italy   Valeri Bure  Chateau Boswell Winery  Napa Valley, California  Operates Bure Family Wines with his wife, actress Candace Cameron   Raymond Burr  Raymond Burr Vineyards  Dry Creek Valley, California  Established by actor in 1986 and left to his partner, Robert Benevides. The vineyard was closed and sold in 2018, but since reopened. Jonathan Cain  Finale Wines  Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley and Napa Valley, California  Collaboration with California winemaker Dennis De La Montanya. Cain family has a winemaking history as his grandfather made wine after arriving in Arkansas from Czechoslovakia in 1920.Brandi Carlile  XOBC Cellars  Walla Walla Valley, Washington  Partnership with her wife Catherine and their friends, Jeri and Amy Andrews. Al Bano Carrisi  Al Bano Carrisi Winery Cellino San Marco, Puglia, Italy    Gerald Casale  The 50 by 50  Napa Valley, California Centerpiece of the estate is both eight acres of the Bordeaux grapes, and the meticulous resurrection of 20th Century Modernist architect, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe's 50 by 50 House designed over 60 years ago. Richard Childress  Childress Vineyards  Lexington, North Carolina   Les Claypool  Claypool Cellars  Russian River Valley, California   Bruce Cohn B.R. Cohn Winery  Glen Ellen, California Cohn was manager of The Doobie Brothers. Francis Ford Coppola  Rubicon Estate Winery  Napa Valley, California  Renamed Inglenook in 2011   Gérard Depardieu  Chateau de Tigne  Anjou, Loire Valley, France Also owns vineyards in Bordeaux, Languedoc, Algeria, Argentina, Morocco, Spain, Sicily and the United States  Cameron Diaz   AvalineFrance, Spain  Partnered with Katherine Power Mike Ditka  Mike Ditka Wines  Mendocino County, California  Collaboration with the Mendocino Wine Company Snoop Dogg  19 Crimes Australia, Lodi, California A multiyear partnership with Australian wine brand Dave Del Dotto  Del Dotto Vineyards  Napa Valley, California  In 2007, experimented with fermenting wine in amphorae  E-40  Earl Stevens Selections  Central Valley, California Ernie Els Ernie Els Wines  Stellenbosch, South Africa  Collaboration with award-winning winemaker Louis Strydom. John Elway  7Cellars  Napa Valley, California  Founded in 2015 by HOF'er, entrepreneur & restaurateur with winemaker Robert Mondavi Jr. Released 'The Farm Collection & Elway's Reserves' in 2020   Emilio Estevez  Casa Dumetz  Santa Ynez Valley, California  Nick Faldo  Nick Faldo Wines  Coonawarra, Australia  Collaboration with Katnook Estate  Guy Fieri Hunt & Ryde Winery  Sonoma County, California  Named after sons, Hunter and Ryder. Partnership with winemaker Guy Davis Elías Figueroa  Vinos Don Elías  Maipo Valley, Chile  First celebrity-owned winery in Chile & South America, established 1999 Mick Fleetwood  Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar  Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California  Collaboration with Langtry Estate and Vineyards   Peggy Fleming  Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery  Santa Cruz Mountains, California  Founded with her husband, Greg Jenkins. The winery ceased production in January 2012 and the business closed. Fergie (Stacy) Ferguson Ferguson Crest  Santa Ynez Valley, California  Founded with her father in 2006.David Ginola  Coste Brulade  Côtes de Provence, France  In partnership with the Coste Brulade co-op at Puget-Ville   Jeff Gordon  Jeff Gordon Wines  Napa Valley, California  Collaboration with August Briggs Wines  Wayne Gretzky  Wayne Gretzky Estates  Niagara Peninsula, Ontario and Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada  Collaboration with Peller Estates Winery  Terry Hoage  TH Estate Wines  Paso Robles, California  University of Georgia and former NFL player, winemaker, viticulturist and winery proprietor. Mick Hucknall  Il Cantante  Sicily, Italy  Collaboration with Italian winemaker Salvo Foti  Andrés Iniesta  Bodega Iniesta  Fuentealbilla, Spain   Günther Jauch  Weingut von Othegraven  Kanzem, Germany  Vineyard a listed cultural heritage site Robert Mark Kamen  Kamen Estate Wines  Sonoma County, California  Phil Coturri, viticulturist; Mark Herold, winemaker  Maynard James Keenan  Caduceus Cellars  Verde Valley, Arizona  Also owns Merkin Vineyards in Arizona   John Lasseter  Lasseter Family Winery  Sonoma County, California   John Legend   LVE Wines St. Helena, California  Partnership with owner Jean-Charles Boisset of  Napa-based Raymond Vineyards and the JCB Winery collection. Raymond Vineyards also owns wineries in France Randy Lewis  Lewis Cellars  Napa Valley, California  Family winery established in 1992.Lil Jon  Little Jonathan Winery  Paso Robles, California  Collaboration with California winemaker Alison Crowe Jack London, Estate of  Jack London Winery  Glen Ellen, California  Shepard family, descendants of London's half-sister Eliza Shepard. Since 1976, Kenwood Vineyards has been the exclusive producer of wines from the historic single vineyards of the famous Jack London Ranch. George Lucas Skywalker Vineyards Lucas Valley, California The vineyards are located at Lucas's Skywalker Ranch in the North Coast AVA. Nigel Lythgoe  Villa San-Juliette  Paso Robles, California  Co-owner with Ken Warwick   Kyle MacLachlan  Pursued by Bear Wine  Columbia Valley, Washington  Collaboration with Washington winemaker Eric Dunham  Fred MacMurray MacMurray Estate Vineyards  Russian River Valley and Central Valley, California  An E & J Gallo property, but maintained by daughter Kate MacMurray with winemaker Boyd Morrison  Post Malone  Maison No. 9Provence, France Launched in 2020 collaborating with winemaker Alexis Cornu and E. & J. Gallo WineryDan Marino  Vintage 13 Marino Estates  Sonoma County, California  Dave Matthews  Blenheim Vineyards  Charlottesville, Virginia   Luis Miguel  Viña Ventisquero Unico  Maipo Valley, Chile  Collaboration with Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes Del Campo   Ron W. and Diane Miller  Silverado Vineyards Winery  Napa Valley, California  Owned by Ron Miller, who was married to Walt Disney's daughter until her death in 2013, and their children. Nicki Minaj  Myx Fusions Australia, Spain, Italy, Argentina and United States Collaboration with Myx Fusions winery  Kylie Minogue Kylie Minogue Wines  Gambellara, Italy Rick Mirer  Mirror Napa Valley  Napa Valley, California  Kirk Venge winemaker Joe Montana  Montagia Wines  Napa Valley, California Collaboration with Ed Sbragia, former winemaker of Beringer Wines Mickey Morandini  Second Base Wines  Cooperstown, New York Collaboratrion with Pat Burrell Dave Mustaine  Mustaine Vineyards  Temecula Valley, California   Jim Nantz  The Calling  Sonoma County, California Collaboration with winemaker Peter Deutsch, CEO of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits   Vince Neil Vince Neil Vineyards  Sonoma County, California  Sam Neill Two Paddocks  Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand Olivia Newton-John  Koala Blue Wines  Melbourne, Australia   Founded in 1983 with business partner Pat Farrar  Greg Norman  Greg Norman Estates  South Australia, New Zealand, Napa Valley, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County, California  Collaboration with Beringer Blass  Graham Norton  Invivo Wines  Marlborough and Central Otago, New Zealand  Graham Norton's Own Sauvignon Blanc, collaboration with Invivo Wines in 2014 and 2015  Terrell Owens  Eighty One  Paso Robles, California  Collaboration with Lasorda Family Wines  Arnold Palmer  Arnold Palmer Wines  Napa Valley, California  Collaboration with Luna Vineyards Jacques Parizeau  Coteau de l'Élisette  Languedoc, France    Fess Parker  Fess Parker Winery  Santa Ynez Valley, California  Was featured in the movie ''Sideways''Robert M. Parker, Jr.  Beaux Frères Vineyards & Winery  Willamette Valley, Oregon  Co-owns winery with brother in law. To avoid a conflict of interest with his wine rating publication ''The Wine Advocate'', Parker delegates the task of rating Oregon wines to another associate. Sarah Jessica Parker  Invivo X, SJP New Zealand Parker collaborated with New Zealand producer Invivo winery  Nancy Pelosi  Zinfandel Lane Vineyard  St. Helena, California  Also owns Skellenger Lane Vineyard in Napa Valley. Pelosi sells her grapes to other California winemakers instead of producing her own wine. Pink Two Wolves WineSanta Ynez Valley, California Andrea Pirlo  Pratum Coller Vineyard  Brescia, Italy  Vineyard purchased in 2007 in his father's hometown. Produces Merlot amongst others. Family historically owned vineyards in the same area. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie  Chateau Miraval  Provence, France  Bought winemaking estate in 2012.Consult with Marc Perrin. In 2021, Jolie sold her half of the estate to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division the Stoli Group. Carmen Policy  Casa Piena  Yountville, California   Jason Priestley  Black Hills Estate Winery  Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada  The British Columbia born actor is a co-owner in the estate  Cliff Richard   Adega do Cantor  Algarve, Portugal  Collaboration with Quinta do Miradouro  Lisa Rinna   Rinna Wines  South West France partnership with Prestige Beverage Group  Ronaldo  Cepa 21  Ribera del Duero, Spain    Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn  Gogi WinesSta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California    Savanna Samson  Savanna Samson Wines  Tuscany and Lazio, Italy  Her first wine ''Sogno Uno'' is a red blend consisting mainly of the obscure Italian grape variety Cesanese. Boz Scaggs  Scaggs Vineyard  Napa Valley, California Growing Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah & Counoise varietals on the northern crest of Mt Veeder. Cathy Schembechler  Bo Schembechler Wines  Monterey County, California  Named after her late husband, former University of Michigan American football coach Bo Schembechler  Nicole Scherzinger  Nocking Point WinesWalla Walla Valley, Washington  collaboration with Nocking Point Wines   Brian Schmidt Maipenrai Vineyard and Winery  Canberra District, New South Wales, Australia  Owns and operates the winery with his wife. Nobel prize winner and vice-chancellor of the Australian National University. Tom Seaver   Seaver Vineyards  Napa Valley, California  Michael Seresin  Seresin Estate  Marlborough New Zealand   Alan Silvestri Silvestri Vineyards  Carmel Valley, California   Ramona Singer  Ramona Singer  Veneto and Tuscany, Italy Pinot Grigio, Merlot-Sangiovese produced by Opici Wines   Tommy Smothers  Remick Ridge Vineyards  Sonoma Mountain, California  Alex Spanos  Bell Wine Cellars  Napa Valley, California  Bought Bell Wine Cellars in Yountville to form Spanos Berberian Winery LLC and partnership with winemaker Anthony Bell. Sting  Tenuta il Palagio  Tuscany, Italy   Train  Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co.  Livermore Valley, California  Collaboration with Concannon Vineyard. Named after the band's fifth album. Jarno Trulli  Podere Castorani  Abruzzo, Italy   Donald and Eric TrumpTrump Winery  Charlottesville, Virginia  Purchased by Donald Trump, but owned & operated by son, Eric Trump, Kerry Woolard as G.M., and Jonathan Wheeler, winemaker  Jimmy Vasser  V12 Vineyards  Napa Valley, California   Dick Vermeil  Vermeil Wines  Napa Valley, California  Collaboration with Paul Smith of OnThEdge Winery. Dwyane Wade  Wade CellarsNapa Valley, California Co-founded by Wade and Jamie Watson in partnership with the iconic Pahlmeyer winemaker family,  Eric Wareheim Las Jaras Wines  Mendocino and Sonoma Mountain, California  Collaboration with winemaker Joel Burt. Mark Warner  Ingleside Vineyards  Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace, Virginia  Grows grapes and makes privates label with Ingleside's owners and winemaker  Mike Weir  Mike Weir Wine  Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada  Collaboration with broadcaster Bob McCown. Winery was closed in 2019 and placed into receivership due to court battle between Weir and McCown. Sigurd Wongraven  Luca Roagna  Piemonte, Italy  The front figure of black-metal band Satyricon has also launched other brands including an organic Champagne cuvée produced by Baron-Fuenté. Charles Woodson  Charles Woodson and Intercept Wines  Calistoga, Paso Robles and Monterey Valley, California  Hansjörg Wyss  Halter Ranch and Vineyard  Paso Robles, California Ranch includes an 1,800-acre wildlife preserve and a 281-acre vineyard producing 13 varietals of grapes using methods that are "Sustainability in Practice" certified. Yao Ming  Yao Family Wines  Napa Valley, California  Established in November 2011 with industry leader Tim Hinde. Måns Zelmerlöw  MZ Wines Catalonia, Spain
See also * List of wine professionals
References