Josh Groban's Pinot Noir Philanthropy
With worldwide album sales surpassing 30 million copies, four Grammy nominations and consistently sold-out shows on some of the world’s biggest stages, Josh Groban has been a star vocalist since his teens, with singles like “You Raise Me Up.” His acting chops are nearly as impressive: Groban, 36, earned his first Tony Award nomination this year—Best Actor in a Musical—for his performance as Pierre in Broadway’s Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. But what even his most loyal fans may not know is that the baritone balladeer is pursuing a quieter art: winemaking.
Groban’s big break in that field came earlier this year when he met boutique Sonoma winery owner Ross Halleck, who offered to produce a limited-edition wine to benefit Groban’s arts–education charity, the Find Your Light Foundation. In June, the two released the Halleck Vineyard 2014 Find Your Light Pinot Noir, and it sold so well that they decided to continue the venture.
In August, Groban traveled to Halleck’s Sebastopol headquarters to help assemble the 2016 Find Your Light blend, primarily from the Haas Vineyard in the Sonoma Mountain AVA. Afterward, he spoke with editorial assistant Lexi Williams about learning the art of blending, how he caught the wine bug and how his favorite winemakers are “crazy in all the best ways.”
Wine Spectator: How did this partnership come about?
Denne historien er fra October 15 & 31, 2017-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra October 15 & 31, 2017-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Shipwrecked Champagne Hoard Discovered Near Sweden
It sometimes feels like wine has a habit of falling into the briny deep. On July 23, Polish wreck diver and underwater photographer Tomasz Stachura announced that he and his Baltictech team had discovered the wreck of a 19th-century sailing ship near Öland, an island off the coast of Sweden—and it was crammed with bottles of Champagne and mineral water.
Openings: The Latest in Napa Tasting
Several new tasting options have opened in Napa Valley, particularly in downtown Napa where wineries are launching satellite tasting rooms. Standing out from the crowd means trying new approaches. Here are some highlights:
War in Middle East Affects Vintners
The 2024 harvest at Israel’s Dalton Winery was punctuated by nonstop rocket and drone attacks launched from just across the border in Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon.
Wineries Sue Napa County in Federal Court
Three Napa wineries filed a joint lawsuit in federal court in September alleging that Napa County officials violated their constitutional rights.
Savoring Persimmon Season
For many, persimmons are an enigma ingredient. Chef David Nayfeld of Award of Excellence-winning Che Fico in San Francisco and its Best of Award of Excellence sibling dangling persimmons off the tree with a stick at a childhood friend's house before realizing what they were. \"I remember his parents saying, 'Hey, don't hit the persimmons, those are food!\"\"
Tasting Plate: A German Six-Pack
Though it boasts Western Europe’s largest population and biggest economy, Germany is nowhere near the cheese juggernaut its neighbors Switzerland and France are. That said, the Germans love their fine cheeses, and they do turn out some excellent ones, fortunately including more than a handful that are currently available here in the U.S.
Gigondas Blanc Est Arrivé!
Ask winemakers in the Southern Rhône to name the most exciting white grape in their region and you will hear a growing number of them say \"Clairette.\"
Kistler's DARKER SIDE
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ups the ante at the house that Chardonnay built
THE SPLENDOR OF CHAMPAGNE
THE REGION'S LEADING PRODUCERS DELIVER HIGH QUALITY AMID A DIVERSE RANGE OF STYLES
MICHAEL BATTERBERRY: 1932-2010 Gourmet, Journalist, Gentleman
Before Food Network, Top Chef or Yelp ... before the term “foodie\" ... before tomatoes were heirloom and sushi was fast food... back when fancy restaurants were always French... Michael Batterberry and his wife, Ariane, were working to celebrate and elevate the status of American chefs and international cuisine. Julie Mautner, Food Arts' former executive editor, looks at the life and legacy of her late mentor, affectionately known as The Bat.
