CELEBRITY WINES

What do Andrea Pirlo, Mick Hucknall, Jarno Trulli, and Sting have in common? They all own vineyards in Italy. The celebrity wine industry has seen a considerable rise in the number of famous enthusiasts over the past decade, for both private enjoyment and financial investment: some who have invested in their own vineyard and others who have teamed up with an already established winery to create their own unique collection. After years of producing vintage performances on the pitch, Juventus star Andrea Pirlo is now producing some vintage titles off it too. The football star has taken to his family business, Pratum Coller, to help try to develop and improve the wines produced in the quiet vineyard in Brescia, Northern Italy. The Pratum Coller vineyard (meaning ‘meadow hill’ in Latin) produces 15,000 to 20,000 bottles of wine each year.

Currently making two varieties of red, a rose and a white, the vineyard is looking to expand its range and volume of production.

 

The same passion can be found in the British musician and member of Simply Red who founded Il Cantante di Mick Hucknall in Sicily in 2001. Located on the slopes of the Mount Etna, the vineyards are comprised of traditional indigenous Sicilian varietals Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Il Cantante uses the knowledge and know-how of local producers to create a Nero d’Avola, an Etna Rosso, and a white blend. Even the Former Formula One driver Jarno Trulli fall in love with Italy and winemaking. His vineyard, Podere Castorani is about an hour outside Pescara on Italy’s Adriatic Coast (Abruzzo region).

He uses Montepulciano grapes: 26 different wines in their range and 800,000 bottles a year, which are regularly winning prizes around the world. Last but not least, a wine portfolio that rocks for the charismatic ex-Police lead Sting and his wife Trudie Styler.

When they purchased the 900 acres “Il Palagio” estate, in the rolling hills of Tuscany (south of Florence), they had no intention of letting the vines go to waste. After many years of restoration work and a complete reorganisation of the vineyards to allow sustainable and dynamic organic farming, the couple now produce several great red wines that have already won top international awards. The wine portfolio currently consists of a trio of reds inspired by Sting most famous songs: the Chianti DOC “When we dance”, the pure Sangiovese “Casino delle Vie” and the top cuvée “Sister Moon”, composed of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. “Message in a Bottle” (a mix of Sangiovese grape, Syrah and Merlot), joined the others only recently. With a complex aroma of cherries, wild blackberries and spices, this wine will compliment many dishes, but goes most perfectly with friends, loved ones and convivial conversation. Send an SMS to someone to come and share it with you.