Football
“Joe Montana (Hall of Fame, SF 49’er pro football player) and former Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia make about 750 cases of this every year. The Montana Family own a ranch in Knights Valley, northwest of Calistoga, in Sonoma County. He agreed to partner with Beringer Vineyards to produce Montagia, which is a http://www.beringer.com/beringer/catalog/view_product.jsp?product_id=1451 Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine used primarily for charitable causes. Former Beringer winemaster Ed Sbragia (the "agia" in Montagia), assisted by winemaker Laurie Hook blend the wine to satisfy the tastes of the Montanas, using fruit from vineyards on Howell Mountain. They all participate in blending trials and the Montanas have the final say on the finished wine.”
Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers professional football team is the lead. After producing small amounts of wine under the SpanosBerberian label, Spanos, purchased http://bellwine.com/ Bell Wine Cellars in Yountville (formerly Plam Vineyards) in 2002 , with his son-in-law, Ron Berberian. Working with Bell Cellars co- founders Anthony Bell and John Baritelle. Spanos and Berberian concentrate on production of Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Spanos’s primary business is http://agspanos.com/ A.G Spanos Companies.
Dick Vermeil, coach of the Kansas City Chiefs . His great-grandfather, Jean Louis Vermeil, originally grew wine grapes in Calistoga on land now owned by the Frediani family. His father, Jean Louis Vermeil, made wine. In partnership with http://www.onthedgewinery.com/JLVStory.htm OnThEdge Winery in Calistoga, Vermeil makes the Jean Louis Vermeil Frediani Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mike Ditka, Kick Ass Red, http://www.mendocinowineco.com/ Mendocino Wine Co., Mendocino. It is served at his http://www.mikeditkaschicago.com/wineMenu.html restaurant chains and elsewhere.
Carmen Policy, former 49’er and Cleveland NFL executive, owns 10 vineyard acres near Charles Krug winery.
Former 49ers coach Bill Walsh estate owns a vineyard in Woodside, on the peninsula.
“ http://www.kapcsandywines.com/ Louis Kapscandy Sr. was already collecting wine when he played for the Chargers in the mid-1960s. He went on to found Grand Cru Imports, an importer of top Bordeaux labels, with his son Louis Jr. Louis Sr. bought his own 20 acres of Napa — the former Beringer State Lane vineyard, where he founded his own winery in 2002, bringing in”
Basketball
Larry Bird, introducing his wines called, “Legends,” which are produced at http://www.cosentinowinery.com/cosentino/index.jsp Cosentino Winery, Yountville
Baseball
http://www.tomterrificseaver.com/ Tom Seaver, a Hall of Fame pitcher and winner of three Cy Young Awards with the New York Mets, grows Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on his 115-acre ranch on Diamond Mountain, just to the south of Calistoga. His blog site is http://tomseaver.mlblogs.com/archives/2005/06/hello_again_eve.html
Race car
“ http://www.andrettiwinery.com/ Andretti Winery: Race Car driver of the Century,
http://www.andretti.com/ Mario Andretti ,began his winery with partner Joe Antonini, former Chairman of the Board of K-Mart stores, in 1996. The winery, formerly known as “Mallard” has grow from about 8,000 cases per year to over 40,000 per year. Andretti won races in Indy cars, stock cars and Formula One cars. Andretti's Italian background and the influence of the Louis Martini family sparked his interest in having his own winery. The wines are made by Napa Valley winemaking veteran Bob Pep who prorduces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese, Primivita and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“ http://www.jeffgordon.com/home/default.sps?itype=12215 Jeff Gordon, one of NASCAR's top-ranked stars, grew up watching car races in the Bay Area. "When I was a kid going to races in Petaluma and Calistoga, we drove by beautiful vineyards wrapping around the hills and valleys," he says. "As I traveled abroad, I remembered those scenes and learned to appreciate fine wine.” In 2004, Gordon decided to step into the wine competition himself. He selected high-end producer http://www.augustbriggswines.com/ August Briggs Wines, of Calistoga, to make his Jeff Gordon Collection wines. "I need the best technology and experts for my car—the same with my wine," he says. “Joe Briggs knows the science and does things in a first-class way.” After Gordon won the 2006 Nextel Cup at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, he toasted his success with his Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. "But I enjoy our Merlot at home with pizza, too," he adds.”
“Frank Arciero Frank Arciero Sr. purchased property in Paso Robles in 1983 for the purpose of opening http://www.eosvintage.com/arciero.html Arciero Family Vineyards. He had formed his first auto-racing team in 1957. The teams have included some of the best drivers in the history of Indy car racing, among them Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney and Michael Andretti. Like the Andretti’s, Frank's sons, Frank Jr. and Albert, are race-car drivers, and Ryan Arciero, a grandson, is taking up racing. The Arciero business also includes the EOS Estate Winery, also in Paso Robles.”
“Kevin Buckler Buckler and his wife, Debra, own The Racer's Group, a world-class sports car racing team which had victories at Daytona and the 24 hour Le Mans. They also own Adobe Road Wines in Petaluma; their 2002 http://www.adoberoadwines.com/about/ Adobe Road Wines Herrerias Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($28) won a gold medal and was chosen as best of its class in the 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.”
Randy Lewis, http://www.lewiscellars.com/ “ Lewis Cellars in Napa Valley is one of the finest wine producers in California. Whether it's Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, Randy Lewis and his wife Debbie turn out stunning wines, vintage after vintage. Lewis was a professional race-car driver for 23 years, competing first in Formula Three races in Europe (where he developed his interest in fine wine), then Formula 5000, CanAm and finally Indy cars, from 1983 to 1991. He raced in five Indianapolis 500s, with a best finish of 13th place. Debbie, whose roots are in farming her family ranch in the Sacramento River Delta, directed the timing and scoring programs for Randy's racing team. “
http://www.childressvineyards.com/news/newsArticle.asp?pvNewsId=28 Childress Vineyards
http://www.bennettlane.com/index.php?page=bennett+lane+race+team Bennett Lane Winery and Lynch Racing
Figure Skating
“Peggy Fleming With her gold-medal-winning performance in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, and three consecutive world championships, Peggy Fleming gave a new look to women's figure skating. Past champions were elegant on ice, yet undaring in their efforts. Fleming, who grew up in Morgan Hill, was indeed elegant, yet she added precision, athleticism and excitement to her programs, blazing the path for such American skaters as Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan. With husband Greg Jenkins, Fleming will release the first http://www.flemingjenkins.com/ Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery wines next month -- a 2003 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay from their own vineyard at 1,400 feet above Los Gatos; a 2003 Madden Vineyard Livermore Valley Syrah from vines owned by former Raiders coach and current Monday Night Football commentator John Madden; and a 2003 Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah from purchased fruit. The couple also sells Chardonnay grapes to Clos LaChance Winery. “
Golf
“In 2005, golfer http://www.gregnormanestateswine.com/index.php Greg Norman launched Greg Norman California Estates (In cooperation with Fosters of Australia) with wines including Lake County Zinfandel and Paso Robles Petite Sirah. He still rolls up his sleeves when it's time for production. "I don’t stomp grapes or roll barrels, but I’m heavily involved in the blending process," he says. "Blending is a challenge because it's an exercise in creativity, but with differing opinions approaching it from diverse perspectives."
“Not to be outdone by Norman, fellow golfer http://www.arnoldpalmer.com/ Arnold Palmer produces wine at http://www.lunavineyards.com/luna/index.jsp Luna Vineyards, a Napa Valley winery co-owned by Palmer’s friend Mike Moone. Arnold Palmer Wines include California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. "It's fun to think you are a part of something you enjoy so much," Palmer says.”
“Joe Montana (Hall of Fame, SF 49’er pro football player) and former Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia make about 750 cases of this every year. The Montana Family own a ranch in Knights Valley, northwest of Calistoga, in Sonoma County. He agreed to partner with Beringer Vineyards to produce Montagia, which is a http://www.beringer.com/beringer/catalog/view_product.jsp?product_id=1451 Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine used primarily for charitable causes. Former Beringer winemaster Ed Sbragia (the "agia" in Montagia), assisted by winemaker Laurie Hook blend the wine to satisfy the tastes of the Montanas, using fruit from vineyards on Howell Mountain. They all participate in blending trials and the Montanas have the final say on the finished wine.”
Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers professional football team is the lead. After producing small amounts of wine under the SpanosBerberian label, Spanos, purchased http://bellwine.com/ Bell Wine Cellars in Yountville (formerly Plam Vineyards) in 2002 , with his son-in-law, Ron Berberian. Working with Bell Cellars co- founders Anthony Bell and John Baritelle. Spanos and Berberian concentrate on production of Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Spanos’s primary business is http://agspanos.com/ A.G Spanos Companies.
Dick Vermeil, coach of the Kansas City Chiefs . His great-grandfather, Jean Louis Vermeil, originally grew wine grapes in Calistoga on land now owned by the Frediani family. His father, Jean Louis Vermeil, made wine. In partnership with http://www.onthedgewinery.com/JLVStory.htm OnThEdge Winery in Calistoga, Vermeil makes the Jean Louis Vermeil Frediani Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mike Ditka, Kick Ass Red, http://www.mendocinowineco.com/ Mendocino Wine Co., Mendocino. It is served at his http://www.mikeditkaschicago.com/wineMenu.html restaurant chains and elsewhere.
Carmen Policy, former 49’er and Cleveland NFL executive, owns 10 vineyard acres near Charles Krug winery.
Former 49ers coach Bill Walsh estate owns a vineyard in Woodside, on the peninsula.
“ http://www.kapcsandywines.com/ Louis Kapscandy Sr. was already collecting wine when he played for the Chargers in the mid-1960s. He went on to found Grand Cru Imports, an importer of top Bordeaux labels, with his son Louis Jr. Louis Sr. bought his own 20 acres of Napa — the former Beringer State Lane vineyard, where he founded his own winery in 2002, bringing in”
Basketball
Larry Bird, introducing his wines called, “Legends,” which are produced at http://www.cosentinowinery.com/cosentino/index.jsp Cosentino Winery, Yountville
Baseball
http://www.tomterrificseaver.com/ Tom Seaver, a Hall of Fame pitcher and winner of three Cy Young Awards with the New York Mets, grows Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on his 115-acre ranch on Diamond Mountain, just to the south of Calistoga. His blog site is http://tomseaver.mlblogs.com/archives/2005/06/hello_again_eve.html
Race car
“ http://www.andrettiwinery.com/ Andretti Winery: Race Car driver of the Century,
http://www.andretti.com/ Mario Andretti ,began his winery with partner Joe Antonini, former Chairman of the Board of K-Mart stores, in 1996. The winery, formerly known as “Mallard” has grow from about 8,000 cases per year to over 40,000 per year. Andretti won races in Indy cars, stock cars and Formula One cars. Andretti's Italian background and the influence of the Louis Martini family sparked his interest in having his own winery. The wines are made by Napa Valley winemaking veteran Bob Pep who prorduces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese, Primivita and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“ http://www.jeffgordon.com/home/default.sps?itype=12215 Jeff Gordon, one of NASCAR's top-ranked stars, grew up watching car races in the Bay Area. "When I was a kid going to races in Petaluma and Calistoga, we drove by beautiful vineyards wrapping around the hills and valleys," he says. "As I traveled abroad, I remembered those scenes and learned to appreciate fine wine.” In 2004, Gordon decided to step into the wine competition himself. He selected high-end producer http://www.augustbriggswines.com/ August Briggs Wines, of Calistoga, to make his Jeff Gordon Collection wines. "I need the best technology and experts for my car—the same with my wine," he says. “Joe Briggs knows the science and does things in a first-class way.” After Gordon won the 2006 Nextel Cup at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, he toasted his success with his Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. "But I enjoy our Merlot at home with pizza, too," he adds.”
“Frank Arciero Frank Arciero Sr. purchased property in Paso Robles in 1983 for the purpose of opening http://www.eosvintage.com/arciero.html Arciero Family Vineyards. He had formed his first auto-racing team in 1957. The teams have included some of the best drivers in the history of Indy car racing, among them Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney and Michael Andretti. Like the Andretti’s, Frank's sons, Frank Jr. and Albert, are race-car drivers, and Ryan Arciero, a grandson, is taking up racing. The Arciero business also includes the EOS Estate Winery, also in Paso Robles.”
“Kevin Buckler Buckler and his wife, Debra, own The Racer's Group, a world-class sports car racing team which had victories at Daytona and the 24 hour Le Mans. They also own Adobe Road Wines in Petaluma; their 2002 http://www.adoberoadwines.com/about/ Adobe Road Wines Herrerias Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($28) won a gold medal and was chosen as best of its class in the 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.”
Randy Lewis, http://www.lewiscellars.com/ “ Lewis Cellars in Napa Valley is one of the finest wine producers in California. Whether it's Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, Randy Lewis and his wife Debbie turn out stunning wines, vintage after vintage. Lewis was a professional race-car driver for 23 years, competing first in Formula Three races in Europe (where he developed his interest in fine wine), then Formula 5000, CanAm and finally Indy cars, from 1983 to 1991. He raced in five Indianapolis 500s, with a best finish of 13th place. Debbie, whose roots are in farming her family ranch in the Sacramento River Delta, directed the timing and scoring programs for Randy's racing team. “
http://www.childressvineyards.com/news/newsArticle.asp?pvNewsId=28 Childress Vineyards
http://www.bennettlane.com/index.php?page=bennett+lane+race+team Bennett Lane Winery and Lynch Racing
Figure Skating
“Peggy Fleming With her gold-medal-winning performance in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, and three consecutive world championships, Peggy Fleming gave a new look to women's figure skating. Past champions were elegant on ice, yet undaring in their efforts. Fleming, who grew up in Morgan Hill, was indeed elegant, yet she added precision, athleticism and excitement to her programs, blazing the path for such American skaters as Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan. With husband Greg Jenkins, Fleming will release the first http://www.flemingjenkins.com/ Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery wines next month -- a 2003 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay from their own vineyard at 1,400 feet above Los Gatos; a 2003 Madden Vineyard Livermore Valley Syrah from vines owned by former Raiders coach and current Monday Night Football commentator John Madden; and a 2003 Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah from purchased fruit. The couple also sells Chardonnay grapes to Clos LaChance Winery. “
Golf
“In 2005, golfer http://www.gregnormanestateswine.com/index.php Greg Norman launched Greg Norman California Estates (In cooperation with Fosters of Australia) with wines including Lake County Zinfandel and Paso Robles Petite Sirah. He still rolls up his sleeves when it's time for production. "I don’t stomp grapes or roll barrels, but I’m heavily involved in the blending process," he says. "Blending is a challenge because it's an exercise in creativity, but with differing opinions approaching it from diverse perspectives."
“Not to be outdone by Norman, fellow golfer http://www.arnoldpalmer.com/ Arnold Palmer produces wine at http://www.lunavineyards.com/luna/index.jsp Luna Vineyards, a Napa Valley winery co-owned by Palmer’s friend Mike Moone. Arnold Palmer Wines include California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. "It's fun to think you are a part of something you enjoy so much," Palmer says.”
