Wine from Drew Bledsoe? Ex-athletes keep up competition at vineyards

[ibglowin]

Nice article from Sports Illustrated on former QB's that have gotten into the Wine Business. That "Holiday Gift Pack" sounds pretty tempting. I already get 2 out of 3 though via list.

http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/07/01/rick-mirer-drew-bledsoe-wine-patriots-retired-athletes

 

[jswordy]

We have for a long time had NASCAR drivers and owners in the biz. Jeff Gordon is one, now a former driver. Seems wild, blue collar NASCAR people in the wine biz. Until you look at their incomes. Oooooh - not so blue-collar.

 

[Boatboy24]

I remember when Manny Ramirez was playing for the BoSox, you could buy "Manny Merlot" up in New England. No idea who produced it, but it was readily available.

 

[wineforfun]

Like with many things, a lot of these individuals just "lend" their name for a cut.

Then there are those that actually take an active role in producing the wine.

 

[dcbrown73]

I haven't tried the other ex-QB wines, but I have one bottle left of the 2011 Doubleback Cab/Sauv. It's very good and was the hit of my monthly community wine tasting when we did Washington wines as the region.

 

[ibglowin]

Ive had the '12 Passing Time. It was an out of body experience. The winemaker is Chris Peterson who is also the winemaker for Avennia. Some of the Best of the Best from WA State. DB is (not dragon blood LOL) is pretty darn good stuff as well. Guess they both should be for those prices..... ::

 

[Johny99]

Like with many things, a lot of these individuals just "lend" their name for a cut.

Then there are those that actually take an active role in producing the wine.

As far as I know, Chris Figgins is still making Doubleback for Drew, but Drew takes an active involvement in it all. They went to high school together.

 

[DoctorCAD]

Richard Childress has a winery not too far from here. His wines are pretty good, but way overpriced.

 

[ibglowin]

Actually they just announced a few months ago that they had hired a winemaker to take over for Chris so he will be transitioning out soon. Drew is the real deal here. He was born and raised in WWV and lives here, works in the winery, vineyards, he is hands on all the way. Now Dan Marino and Damon Huard, not so much, they fly into Seattle a few times a year and attend blending tasting sessions and do a some publicity stuff, photo ops etc but thats about it. As long as Chris Peterson is the winemaker they are in superb hands and are better off letting him make the big decisions. Avennia and Passing Time are located right next door to each other in Woodinville, WA and they can actually open a sliding door between them for ease during crush.

We attended the Doubleback Members Party in 2013 in WW and Drew was there pressing the flesh, the DB was flowing freely, fantastic food. A good time was had by all.

As far as I know, Chris Figgins is still making Doubleback for Drew, but Drew takes an active involvement in it all. They went to high school together.

 

[jswordy]

Jeff Gordon...





Richard Childress...





Wee-haw, boahs!

 

[wineforfun]

I'll guarantee those two fall into the "lend their name" category. No way they have/had time to mess with the actual winemaking. Gordon may be able to spare a few minutes now that he isn't driving and only commentating.

 

[ibglowin]

The Doubleback haul from a few ago!

 

[ibglowin]

More pics from the Doubleback Member Party!

 

[wineforfun]

No 5 is one of my favorite things.

 

[ibglowin]

LOL lots of things (besides grapes) are beautifully grown in WA State......

 

[JohnT]

Eli Manning..

(get it?)

 

[jswordy]

I'll guarantee those two fall into the "lend their name" category. No way they have/had time to mess with the actual winemaking. Gordon may be able to spare a few minutes now that he isn't driving and only commentating.

They own the joints. Kix Brooks of the Brooks & Dunn country act has one not far from me, too. Good tax write-offs.

http://www.arringtonvineyards.com