From the 1980s onwards, it became increasingly fashionable for celebrities, especially from the show business, to have their own winery.
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 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
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
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
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
India has countless talented chefs – but for many, their careers end in poorly paid kitchens with little future. Now a new opportunity is opening up: Europe’s top restaurants are looking for precisely these professionals! But who really makes it into the best restaurants?
For over 120 years, Haubis has been synonymous with Austrian baking tradition – and trustworthiness. What began in 1902 as a small bakery is now a fifth-generation owner-managed family business based in the Mostviertel region of Lower Austria with around 1,000 employees. Whether in hotels, restaurants, cafés, or canteens, Haubis accompanies the catering industry throughout the day: from breakfast to snacks to evening service.
If you don’t just want to serve ice cream, but want to understand, feel and perfect it, you can’t go past this book: EIS by Hubertus Tzschirner (author) and Daniel Esswein (photography) is not a classic recipe book – it’s a passionate journey through the world of ice cream. With a loving wink, Tzschirner writes: “Ice Ice Baby! That’s what buzzes around in my head every time I think of ice cream.” And indeed: this book exudes exactly the positive vibe that makes ice cream so special – as food for the soul, a childhood memory, a source of comfort and a lucky charm.
INFO:
EIS by Hubertus Tzschirner & Daniel Esswein
224 pages, 200 illustrations, hardcover, 25 × 28 cm
Callwey Verlag, 2025 – ISBN: 978-3-7667-2786-2
Price: € 45.00 (D) / € 46.30 (A)
From the 1980s onwards, it became increasingly fashionable for celebrities, especially from the show business, to have their own winery.