Fergie to launch her own wine

Pop star Fergie is to launch her own wine brand after buying a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara, California. As reported on db.com, the California-born Black Eyed Peas singer will produce her own Ferguson Crest wines from the Santa Barbara estate, which will double as her father’s new home.

The Meet Me Halfway songstress revealed to Forbes Life magazine she’s been busy investing in a number of new property projects, including her vineyard venture. "It's an investment. I'm investing in real estate. Plus, my dad is going to have a great house,” she told the magazine. Grape growing at the estate will be overseen by Fergie’s horticulturalist father, Pat Ferguson.

The Ferguson Crest range, which includes a single estate Syrah, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Viognier, will be released in the US later this year. The wines will be small production – in the region of 1,000 cases of Syrah a year, and even smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier.

Born Stacy Ann Ferguson, Fergie also has her own perfume – Outspoken, produced in collaboration with Avon, and is part-owner of the Miami Dolphins American football team. She is the latest in an increasingly long line of celebrity vintners.

Earlier this year, actress Drew Barrymore released her own wine – Barrymore 2011 Pinot Grigio, from grapes grown in the Veneto, Friuli and Alto Adige in Northern Italy. Last month, former Eurythmics star Dave Stewart teamed up with McLaren Vale estate Mollydooker to release Ringmaster General Shiraz 2010 to coincide with his upcoming album of the same name.

Pop icon Lady Gaga is also hoping to turn her hand to winemaking, and was spotted looking for vineyard land in Sonoma County this March with boyfriend Taylor Kinney. Director Francis Ford Coppola, classical singer Andrea Bocelli, and actors Dan Aykroyd, Sam Neill and Antonio Banderas all also have their own wine brands. 

Lady Gaga to make own wine brand

Lady Gaga reportedly wants to make her own wine with boyfriend Taylor Kinney. As reported on thedrinksbusiness.com, the pop icon was spotted in Sonoma County last week, and is interested in buying a property in the area with a view to making her own wine. During the visit, Gaga told guests she and Kinney want to grow their own grapes.

"Gaga is really into her food and wine. When she isn't on tour she is cooking and drinking the most expensive bottles she can get her hands on. After touring in Europe she has taken a real interest in the production of her favourite reds," a source told the Sun. "She also sees a vineyard as a business investment and something she can work on when her pop career comes to an end,” the source added. The 25-year-old Italian American recently revealed she was a huge fan of red wine.

"My favourite way to catch up with friends is to have wine and food nights. We cook together and drink six or seven bottles of red wine," she said. During her trip to California, Gaga stopped into Sonoma's Best wine shop. "When she came in I noticed the stiletto heals and knew she couldn’t be from Sonoma," said owner Gayle Jenkins.

Two days later, the songstress was spotted in the area again with Kinney, who joined Gaga at the bar of The Girl & the Fig where the pair sipped the restaurant's signature Fig Kiss cocktail featuring FigCello di Sonoma liqueur, made locally from hand picked black mission figs.

In December, db touted Gaga as one of our five “Ones to Watch” in 2012 in our Power List issue, predicting the singer to impact upon the wine market this year, having often tweeted about her love of wine to her 16m Twitter followers. The eccentric singer, born Stefani Germanotta, topped last year’s Forbes celebrity list, with a net worth of US$90m.

Last week, actress Drew Barrymore revealed she had joined the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Madonna, Dan Aykroyd and Antonio Banderas by launching her own wine – Barrymore 2011 Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie IGT. With Gaga now in on the act, the celebrity wine movement is gaining traction, placed to usurp perfume as the hobby brand of choice for the stars. Is wine finally getting the celebrity attention it deserves, or should these starlets be sticking to what they do best?

Dan Aykroyd on wine

In the second part of my interview with Ghostbusters star Dan Aykroyd, he tells me about his wine epiphany while filming The Blues Brothers, opening a treasured bottle of Trotanoy given to him by River Phoenix, and why Canadian ice wine would feature in his death row meal.

Drew Barrymore wine

Hollywood starlet Drew Barrymore has joined the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Madonna, Dan Aykroyd and Antonio Banderas by launching her own wine, in a move that hints wine may be gaining ground on perfume as the next big celebrity trend.

As reported on thedrinksbusiness.com, Barrymore 2011 Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie IGT, a 12% abv crisp, dry and fruity white, is made from grapes grown in the Veneto, Friuli and Alto Adige in northern Italy. Barrymore, known for her roles in films such as Charlie’s Angels, Never Been Kissed, 50 First Dates and E.T., said she wanted to create a “fresh, dynamic and fun” wine that reflected her style and personality.

“Wine is all about the journey, the discovery of new places and new varieties,” she said, adding, “I’m excited about sharing this Pinot Grigio with my friends and family and other wine lovers.” According to Barrymore’s California-based distributor, Wilson Daniels, the wine has a pale straw colour and offers hints of “fresh apricot and lively citrus flavours”.

The label – designed by street artist Shepard Fairey, creator of the famous 2008 red and blue Barack Obama “Hope” poster – features the Barrymore family crest. The wine, which is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, will launch in California at US$19.99 a bottle, before expanding its distribution across the US later in the year.

Dan Aykroyd, Crystal Head vodka

I was lucky enough to meet the legend that is Dan Aykroyd this week, who was in town to promote the UK launch of his Crystal Head vodka, which has sold an impressive two million bottles since its launch in 2008. I caught up with The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters star at the American Bar at The Stafford Hotel to find out the story behind the skull bottle, why he chose to make a vodka over a Tequila or white rum, and whether or not he believes in ghosts.