Celebrity endorsed wines are collected by all sorts of wine lovers. Niagara boasts a Dan Aykroyd collection, Mike Weir's line of wines and Wayne Gretzky's icewines. Even Bob Izumi, the great outdoorsman has a line of wine at Coyote's Run Winery. But on a recent trip to Texas, I discovered a few more celebrity wines that were as rare to me as Niagara's four are to a Texan.
Actor Fred MacMurray, star of My Three Sons, the long time running television show, (am I dating myself?) loved wine so much he had his own vineyards and winery. Deep in the heart of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma, Calif., the MacMurray Ranch, covered in rambling vineyards, produces outstanding Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
The late Paul Newman's wine line recently released a red and a white - Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay - both named Newman's Own. The wine is made by Rebel Wine Company from grapes sourced from Napa, Sonoma, and San Luis Obispo and sells for a reasonable approximately $16.
Martha Stewart made a deal with Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery to create the Martha Stewart Vintage. The first launch of 15,000 cases includes an '06 Sonoma County Chardonnay, '05 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and '06 Sonoma County Merlot. The wines will be available in January and will sell for around $15.
The great Australian golfer, Greg Norman started Greg Norman Estates in Australia then moved to Santa Barbara County, Calif. They've always been amazing wines. You can find Greg Norman in Ontario at LCBO stores at prices above $20.
Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola (the Godfather) makes big, rich, blockbuster wines in Sonoma County. The Director's Cut wines express true appellation character and pay homage to the history of filmmaking. Fans of Super Tuscans will enjoy Coppola's spicy wines. His daughter, Sophia, has a line of delicious sparkling wines.
Back in Niagara, Mike Weir Winery has just announced a brand new partnership between Chateau des Charmes Winery and the Niagara Parks Commission. The partnership means a new Mike Weir Winery, winery retail, hospitality centre and vineyards. The concept is to marry golf with wine as the new winery will be built adjacent the Whirlpool Golf Course on the Niagara River Parkway.
Meanwhile, if you're wanting to rub elbows with celebrity status, you may want to go out to the Gretzky Holiday Open House today, tomorrow and Sunday. Enjoy appetizers with rare and delicious Shiraz Icewine Martinis for only $1 while you shop for wine gifts.
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Lynn Ogryzlo is food and wine writer for Niagara this Week and Niagara Life Magazine. She is the author of Niagara Cooks, a farm-to-table cookbook and she is the culinary host of CHCH-TV's Niagara Express, airing Sundays at 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. You can reach Lynn for questions or comments at ogryzlo@lynnogryzlo.com.