Celebrity-owned wineries

What does a movie star, professional athlete, iconic musician or other celebrity do when they are looking for something to do with all the money they’ve accumulated? They invest in a winery, of course. It’s not to say that many of those who do aren’t interested in wine, but it’s also an interesting way of getting a tax write-off. Here is a selection of famous people who have bought into the wine biz.

Movie/TV Stars
Dan Aykroyd, comedian/actor owns Dan Aykroyd Wines in Niagara. He also produces a Sonoma County series of wines.
Antonio Banderas has Anta Banderas in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain.
Lorraine Bracco, American actress, most noted for her role as the shrink on The Sopranos, sports Bracco Wines in Tuscany.
The late Canadian actor, Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame, put his name to Raymond Burr Vineyards in Dry Creek, California. Today, it is run by his partner.
Francis Ford Coppola, American film director, producer and screenwriter has had Rubicon Estate Winery (formerly Niebaum-Coppola Winery) for some time now in Napa Valley.
Gérrard Depardieu, French actor and filmmaker owns Chateau de Tigne in France’s Loire Valley.
American actor Emilio Estevez has Casa Dumetz in Malibu, California.
New Zealand actor Sam Neil loves his Two Paddocks Winery in Central Otago, New Zealand.
The late American film and TV actor Fess Parker, most noted for his role as Walt Disney’s Davy Crockett, owns up to Fess Parker Winery in Santa Ynez, California.
American actor, Kyle MacLachlan (Orson Hodge in Desperate Housewives) loves his Pursued by Bear Winery in Columbia Valley, Washington State.
Canadian/ American actor/director, Jason Priestley, of Beverly Hills 90210, owns Black Hills Estate Winery in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia.
Smothers Brother Tommy lays claim to Remick Ridge Vineyards in Sonoma, California.

Athletes
Mike Ditka, former American football NFL player, commentator and coach, owns Mike Ditka Wines in Mendocino, California.
South African professional golfer Ernie Els has Ernie Els Wines in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Peggy Fleming, American Olympic Figure Skating Champion, put money into Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California along with her husband Greg Jenkins.
The ‘Great One’, Wayne Gretzky, owns No. 99 Estate Winery right here in Niagara, Ontario.
Retired American football quarterback, Dan Marino has Vintage 13 Marino Estates in California.
Another retired American football great, Joe Montana, owns Montagia Wines in Napa, California.
Greg Norman Estates in Australia is owned by Australian golfer Greg Norman, in collaboration with Beringer Blass.
Legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer lays claim to Arnold Palmer Wines in California.
Tom Seaver, former major league pitcher, has GTS Vineyards in Napa.
Canadian golfer, Mike Weir, owns Mike Weir Wine in Niagara, Ontario.

Musicians
American musician, Jonathan Cain of the band Journey, owns deleCain Vineyards in Sonoma, California.
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac loves his Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar in Lake County, California.
The lead singer of the British band, Simply Red, Michael Hucknall, possesses Il Cantante in Sicily, Italy, in collaboration with Italian winemaker Salvo Foti.
American rapper Lil Jon has his Little Jon Winery in the Central Coast, California.
Madonna, shares ownership of Ciccone Vineyard and Winery with her father in the Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan.
Dave Matthews has Blenheim Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Australian singer/actress, Olivia Newton-John, shares ownership of Koala Blue Wines, Australia with Pat Farrar.
British pop singer, Sir Cliff Richard, shares ownership of Adega do Cantor Winery in Algarve, Portugal with Quinta do Miradouro.
Boz Scaggs has Scaggs Vineyard in California.
Even Vince Neil of Motley Crue invested in Vince Neil Vineyards in Sonoma, County.

Ed Finstein, a.k.a. The Wine Doctor, is a wine writer, educator, judge &  consultant.
winedoctor@sympatico.ca
www.winedoctor.ca

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