From Sting to Trulli – celebrity winemakers
Celebrity winemakers – celebrities who become winemakers. From the 1980s it became increasingly fashionable for celebrities, especially from the show industry, to buy their own winery.
One of the very first in 1975 was the US director Francis Ford Coppola, who used his money from the first two sponsored films. A very active one is the French actor Gerard Depardieu, who is with his wineries in three parts of the world. There are always prejudices. The quality in particular is being called into question. However, there are advantages: The well-known name arouses curiosity, the restaurateur or host can go straight into storytelling. A lucrative increase in sales for restaurateurs can also be achieved here. If you are skeptical, you should just try it out, taste the wines of the celebrities, it pays off.
Francis Ford Coppola
Jarno Trulli
Sting and Trudie Styler
Sting and Trudie Styler have found a second home on the feudal estate “Il Palagio”. They had been looking for a house in Italy for a number of years after living near Pisa in 1990. It was a special time for the couple. In the same year, Sting lost his parents, and daughter Eliot was born at the same time. They found an estate on which sustainable agriculture is now a top priority. Trudie Styler has a lot in common with nature, as her father was a farmer himself. He taught her the importance of sustainability. The power couple confirms that they had the dream of having a farm one day. Land degradation is a major problem around the world due to intensive agricultural practices. Therefore, they make sure not to exhaust the soil at the “Il Palagio” winery. The ecosystem can function well when it is supported and that’s why they goes with traditional organic farming methods. They have a huge respect for the nature. 2020 they hired the famous wine expert Riccardo Cotarella for their winery.
Hard Facts Tenuta Il Palagio, Florence, Italy
- 50 hectares of vineyards out of a total of 350 hectares of estate
- 17th century bought by the Martelli family, bought in 1819 by Countess Carlotta Barbolani von Montauto, bought in 1999 by Sting & Trudie Styler
- Farm sale including farm shop with products from the estate such as olive oil, honey, vegetables and fruit
- Organic certification
Francis Ford Coppola
When you hear the name Francis Ford Coppola, you inevitably think of the world-famous movie classic “The Godfather”. His winery in California is one of the best in the USA. Coppola created a “Wine Wonderland”, an amusement park with cuisine, wine, art and music. Coppola’s grandfather already produced his own wines in the cellar of his New York apartment. Even though these creations have not much in common with those of Francis Ford Coppola. Just like his films, there are also unique classics among his wines: including, for example, the red wine blend Diamond Collection Black Label Claret or the Diamond Collection Red Label Zinfandel. The Director’s Cut Zinfandel is one of the top wines from the Francis Ford Coppola winery.
Hard Facts Francis Ford Coppola Winery
- 42 hectares of vineyards
- In 1975 Francis Ford Coppola took over part of the well-known wine producer Inglenook Estate, in 1995 the remaining acreage followed and the name was changed to Rubicon Estate Winery
- Yard sale
- Organic farming
Andrea Bocelli
The Bocelli family has been producing classic Italian wines on their small estate in Tuscany for almost three centuries. Long before Andrea Bocelli became the world’s most successful classical music artist of all time, the Bocellis were known as winemakers. Cinzia and Alberto Bocelli run the Azienda and, together with Andrea Bocelli, welcome visitors from all over the world. The winery has grown old grape varieties and classic Tuscan grape varieties such as Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, Malvasia and Trebbiano. Careful analysis has shown that the terroir is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Hard Facts Bocelli Family Wines, Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy
- 120 hectares of agricultural land
- 1730 Bartolomeo Bocelli’s family farm with grain, animals, honey, olive oil and wine, 1930 extension of the vineyards by Alcide Bocelli
- Yard sale
- Organic farming
Jarno Trulli
In recent years, Trulli & Co have taken the winery to a new level. The Formula 1 team is very careful. In the basement, Formula 1 Toyota engineers were hired for the moisture system. The aim of the winery: To optimally dry the Montepulciano and Trebbiano vines in the best Amarone tradition. Trulli’s grandfather already grew wine, so Trulli brought wine back into the family.
Hard Facts Podere Castorani, Montepulciano, Italy
- 75 hectares of vineyards
- First recorded in 1793 as Casino Castorani, bought in 1999 by Jarno Trulli with three partners
- Yard sale
- Organic farming