Celebrity power fuels drinks industry with joint ventures
What do George Clooney, Justin Timberlake, Zhao Wei, Yao Ming and Hidetoshi Nakata have in common? These celebrities have all dabbled in creating their own wine and spirits
Celebrity-endorsed alcohol is not new, but a handful of celebrities have gone beyond being the face of a brand, and joined forces with respected producers to craft award-winning wines and spirits.
Film star George Clooney and singer Justin Timberlake own tequila brands, former basketball star Yao Ming has a vineyard in the Napa Valley, actress Zhao Wei has hers in Bordeaux and former footballer Hidetoshi Nakata travelled across Japan to learn more about sake before creating his own.
Other celebrities have had mixed fortunes with similar ventures. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie co-owned the award-winning Miraval produced at their vineyard in France where they got married.
Since the announcement of their divorce, it has been reported that they are looking to sell their vineyard.
US president Donald Trump launched Trump Vodka in 2007, but falling sales forced it to cease production.
These ventures are often projects of passion. Clooney reportedly created Casamigos for his own enjoyment and consumption, determined to create the “smoothest” tequila possible.