Sports Celebrities In The Wine Business In Napa/Sonoma, CA

Celebrities, in any capacity, have always been concerned in the second or 0.33 oldest profession… Winemaking. Whether they are celebrity politicians, sports activities figures, moviemakers, actors, or authors, they’re likely into winemaking for motives of status, economic, and/or genuine interest. I actually have long repeated what has been said before; winemaking is, honestly, in the final analysis, nothing greater than agriculture/farming. So what makes the wine commercial enterprise so thrilling? Probably Robert Mondavi made winemaking a chic moniker of wealth, subculture, and standing. But, winemaking remains all about developing, harvesting and processing fruit.

I lately read that Drew Bledsoe (NFL) has been doing nicely in the wine business with his own label along with his desirable friend Rick Mirer (also from the NFL). Drew’s label is Doubleback which is a Washington State wine. That was given me to considering sports celebrities who were making wine in and around Napa and Sonoma Counties, California. In wine us of an, I might in all likelihood say that the NFL has produced the finest number of wine labels. However others in different sports activities are getting into the fray, even in a down economic system, and their wines are not inexpensive.

Some new sport superstar entrants within the wine business do not very own vineyards or wineries. Rather, the paintings with wineries and winemakers to produce wine, they prefer, under their very own labels. Others have taken the course of owning the real property (a winery or winery property) and generating their own wine.

So the question that begs to ask: Who are the sports activities figures which might be worried in the wine enterprise within the loosely described area I even have defined as wine u. S . A .? My tally is not in any precise order.

Mario Andretti-Andretti Winery, located in Napa. It is a totally nice winery, open to the public, who’s proud proprietor hails from the motorsports arena; mainly Indy car racing. Mario is energetic in his winery so count on to see him around the assets.

Dick Vermeil-Vermeil Wines, Calistoga (North cease of the Napa Valley). Dick was born in Napa Valley and is an associate with Paul Smith (a graduate of Fresno State School of Viticulture) and the winemaker. Dick’s great-grandfather changed into inside the wine commercial enterprise in Calistoga. As an aside, Dick Vermeil became the big name quarterback at Calistoga High School. He married Carol, who changed into a cheerleader at Calistoga HS. The wines are Vermeil Wines from On The Edge Winery. Dick Vermeil is from the NFL and broadcasting.

Tom Seaver-GTS Wines, Calistoga. Tom is a Hall of Fame pitcher, and he is an active supervisor of his vineyards and produces excessive-give-up cabs. Tom turned into born in Fresno, in which his circle of relatives grew grapes. Thomas Rivers is the winemaker for Tom Seaver’s and is the man who has produced 2 “a hundred-factor” wines. The label is “GTS.”

Rick Mirer-St. Helena. A big fan of Napa as a supply of grapes, Rick’s winemaker/collaborator, is Rob Lawson. Do now not recognize the vineyard that produces the wines, but they are tremendous. Rob Lawson has based a vineyard and currently consults for wine corporations like Rick’s label; Mirror Wines. Rick is most well-known for his university football years at Notre Dame University and in the NFL.

Terry Hoage-Paso Robles (the Central Coast). Here is a gentleman who got his begin in the NFL and today produces a top-class wine. Terry and wife Jennifer personal the winery and the winery that tactics the fruit. The Terry Hoage Wines are Rhone varietals and are all organic wines.

Arnold Palmer-Napa. Mr. Palmer has a mid-variety white he produces with Luna Vineyards. He does spend some time in Napa, but it isn’t always his primary recognition. His profession in sports does not need to be referred to. If you do not know Mr. Palmer, it is definitely a pity.

Carmen Policy-Yountville, Napa County. Carmen owns the Policy Vineyards and produces a wine below the Casa Piena label. Carmen is first-class recognized for his front workplace paintings with the San Francisco 49’ers. His cognizance is honestly all about the fruit from a top-rated winery. The background is sports activities law within the NFL.

Jeff Gordon-Jeff Gordon Wines-Sebastopol, Sonoma. Jeff lives within the winemaking system and spends personal time after the NASCAR season leads to November, working with his winemakers to finish crush and barreling. He is a native of Vallejo, CA, and has been around wine most of his lifestyle. The profession that helped him get into wine is motorsports activities. This wine comes from August Biggs Winery.

Luke Donald-Napa. Luke works with a long time pal, Bill Terlato of Terlato Wines International to produce 3 wines” a Claret, Viognier and a Chardonnay. He did thoroughly on the PGA excursion in 2012. Terlato Wines owns numerous wineries in Napa, and Luke could be very arms-on in blending his wines.

Greg Norman-Greg Norman Wine Estate, Napa. Greg has been making first-class wines in Australia for a long time and is now producing wine from the North Coast of Wine Country. Grapes are assets from Sonoma, Napa, and Lake Counties. He does have wines from different regions in California, and golf is the enterprise he comes from before entering into the wine enterprise.

Annika Sorenstam-Annika Wines, Livermore, CA. Annika left the LPGA Tour in 2009 to pursue many and sundry commercial enterprise pursuits in apparel, finance, golfing and wine. She joined forces with Wente Vineyards. Although Livermore is not exactly in Napa or Sonoma, she is near sufficient. I even have attempted her wines, and they’re a result of a remarkable collaboration with a vineyard with many generations of winemaking revel in.

By I be counted, there are approximately eleven sports celebrities involved with winemaking in Wine Country. Suppose you keep in mind former US Ambassadors, individuals of Congress, Hollywood moguls, marketers, and so forth. Then the list grows quickly.

Mr. Lay has held “C” Level positions in huge personal and public organizations. These corporations, similarly to the tour corporate and entertainment commercial enterprise, consist of the defense enterprise and e-commerce. Before launching Symtrek Partners, Mr. Lay became the Vice President of Exhibitor Sales for the main exposition agency.