Pop diva Christina Aguilera is a big fan of ‘big Cabernet’ – so she took over ultra-exclusive Staglin Family Vineyard for her wedding.
The one-time bitter rival of pop queen Britney Spears married record executive Jordan Bratman in a special marquee built over a covered swimming pool at the Staglin Family estate in the Rutherford district of California’s Napa Valley.
The marquee interior was painted to resemble a Tuscan cathedral and included fake tinted ‘stained glass’ windows.
The 24 year-old bride walked down the aisle to the strains of Ave Maria, sung by a Mormon choir, revealed behind a section of the marquee which rolled back as she entered.
Aguilera had planned the ceremony six months earlier, after being given an extensive tour of the winery by husband and wife team Garen and Shari Staglin.
‘She’s a fan of big Cabernet,’ Staglin told decanter.com. ‘She’s become a friend as a result of that. She originally visited us two years ago.’
Wedding guests were served Billecart-Salmon non-vintage Champagne at the reception. All the other wines were produced by Staglin and included a pre-release 2004 Chardonnay, the estate’s second wines – Salus Cabernet and Chardonnay, the 2001 Cabernet in magnum and the 2000 Cabernet.
Staglin noted how the diners compared their favourite wines. Screen icon Sharon Stone, one of over 100 guests, proclaimed her preference for the Chardonnay while Aguilera’s manager Irving Asoff plumped for the 2000 Cabernet.
Aguilera’s preference was unrecorded. Although she buys from the estate, Staglin did not think she had taken a case on her honeymoon.
The Dirrty star and her new husband honeymooned at an undisclosed location, Staglin said, ‘although rumour has it she’s gone to Japan.’
Written by Oliver Styles
