Golfing legend Jack Nicklaus and Terlato Wines have announced a partnership to create a range of Napa Valley wines.
Two wines have been released, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2007 Private Reserve, a Bordeaux-style blend incorporating small amounts of Syrah.
The Cabernet Sauvignon was vinified from premium parcels of fruit in the Rutherford Bench district of Napa Valley, the Private Reserve from selected sites in Stags Leap.
Terlato Wines told decanter.com that the wines will be available at premier golf clubs and resorts throughout the US from June, but could not confirm which clubs at present.
Both wines will be unveiled by Nicklaus later this week at St Andrews Golf Club in Scotland.
‘We immediately felt a mutual respect and a connection, sparked by a shared passion for quality and a vision’, enthused Nicklaus, a keen wine collector.
Steve Singerman, director of public relations at Terlato Wines International told decanter.com, ‘Jack was definitely involved in development of the wine. Over numerous days he tasted through varietals and blends with Tony, Bill and John Terlato, and the Terlato winemaking team.’
The company said that it had produced 500 cases of each wine, with the Cabernet and Private Reserve retailing at US$35 and US$43 respectively.
Nicklaus joins an increasingly populous club of sportsmen who have branched out into wine: golfers Nick Faldo and Ernie Els – whose wine Ernie Els Signature is part of the Terlato portfolio – cricketers Ian Botham and Bob Willis, who make a McLaren Vale Cabernet called BMW with winemaker Geoff Merrill, rugby stars Gerard Bertrand and Schalk Burger, among many others, are all making wine at various levels of dedication and success.
Written by James Lawrence
