From Sting to Trulli - the celebrity winemakers
From the 1980s onwards, it became increasingly fashionable for celebrities, especially from the show business, to have their own winery.
Well-known names arouse curiosity
One of the very first was the US director Francis Ford Coppola in 1975, who used his money from the first two Godfather films. A very active one is the French actor Gerard Depardieu, who is active worldwide with his wineries in three continents.
There are always prejudices. The quality in particular is questioned. However, the advantages should be emphasized: The well-known name arouses curiosity and the restaurateur or host can go straight into storytelling. This can also lead to a lucrative increase in sales for the restaurateur. Anyone who remains skeptical should simply give it a try, taste the celebrities' wines, it pays off.
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 several years after living near Pisa in 1990. It was a poignant time for the couple. In the same year, Sting lost his parents and their daughter Eliot was born. They found a country estate where sustainable farming is now a top priority. Trudie Styler has a strong connection with nature, as her father was a farmer himself. He also taught her how important healthy, fertile soil is.
The power couple repeatedly confirm that they dreamed of having a farm one day. Soil degradation is a major problem all over the world due to intensive agricultural practices. That is why they are careful not to deplete the soil on the “Il Palagio” estate. The ecosystem can function well if it is supported and balanced and traditional methods of organic farming respect the balance of nature. The two of them achieved a stroke of genius when they were able to hire the famous wine expert Riccardo Cotarella for their winery in 2020.
Hard Facts Tenuta Il Palagio, Florence, Italy
- 50 hectares of vineyards out of a total of 350 hectares of land
- 17th century purchase by the Martelli family, 1819 purchase by Countess Carlotta Barbolani of Montauto, 1999 purchase by Sting & Trudie Styler
- Farm sales incl. farm store with products from the estate such as olive oil, honey, vegetables & fruit
- Organic certification
Francis Ford Coppola
When you hear the name Francis Ford Coppola, you inevitably think of the world-famous cinema classic “The Godfather”. His winery in California is one of the best in the USA. Coppola created a “Wine Wonderland”, an amusement park with culinary delights, wine, art and music. Coppola's grandfather produced his own wines in the cellar of his New York apartment, even if these creations no longer have much in common with those of Francis Ford Coppola. Just like his films, his wines also include unique classics, such as the red wine cuvée 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
- Francis Ford Coppola took over part of the well-known wine producer Inglenook Estate in 1975, followed by the remaining acreage in 1995 and the renaming to Rubicon Estate Winery
- Farm sales
- 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 winegrowers. Cinzia and Alberto Bocelli run the Azienda and, together with Andrea Bocelli, welcome visitors from all over the world. The winery has cultivated ancient 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 expansion of the vineyards by Alcide Bocelli
- Farm sales
- Organic farming
Jarno Trulli
In recent years, Trulli & Co have taken the estate to a new level. The Formula 1 team left nothing to chance. In the cellar, Formula 1 Toyota engineers were hired for the humidity system. The aim of the winery: to dry the Montepulciano and Trebbiano vines optimally in the best Amarone tradition. Trulli's grandfather already cultivated wine, so Trulli has brought wine back into the family.
Hard Facts Podere Castorani, Montepulciano, Italy
- 75 hectares of vineyards
- 1793 first records as Casino Castorani, 1999 purchase by Jarno Trulli with three partners
- Farm sales
- Organic farming
