Here’s a snapshot of some other pro golfers who love their greens and grapes: Ernie Els Ernie Els Wines was created in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa and produced the maiden 2000 vintage of Ernie Els—a “classic” Bordeaux blend. Greg Norman Greg Norman Estates (1996) is a proven success in the wine industry with a collection of wines from Australia, California and Argentina. Luke Donald The Luke Donald Collection of wines has its origins in a longstanding friendship with wine professional Bill Terlato of the Napa family-owned Terlato Wine Group. David Frost David Frost and his family have been in the wine business in South Africa for more than 60 years. With the help of Napa winemaker Jason Fisher, he produced his first 3,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1997. partnered with his friend Dr. Werner Roux, an accomplished property developer in South Africa, to buy into an established winery situated behind the Outeniqua Mountains on the picturesque Garden Route near George, South Africa. On their fifty acres, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet grapes are being grown to produce approximately 120,000 bottles of Goose Wines, including their flagship, The Goose Expression, a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. As a 50/50 partner in the business, Goosen is one of the few golfers with their names on the bottle who are extremely involved in the overall operation of their wineries, including paying the bills, so he understands the risks involved. However, one task you will not see him doing is picking grapes. With the winery situated in an area boasting the coolest annual vineyard climate in South Africa, the grape harvest typically occurs during late South African autumn the first week of April, and, therefore, coinciding with springtime at The Masters. Another Major Champion who will be bringing his wine palate to the Frys.com Open is Mike Weir, who added a vintner’s hat in 2005, to accompany his green jacket from the 2003 Masters. It’s been nearly ten years since the native Canadian launched Mike Weir Estate Winery to showcase Niagara Region wines that include Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. On the ladies’ side, 16-time LPGA champion Cristie Kerr developed an affinity for wine when the Tour used to play in the Napa region and she was introduced to Healdsburg-based Pride Mountain Vineyards. Now, she and her partners, Suzanne Bryan and Sally Johnson, are producing roughly 500 cases annually of Curvature cabernet and chardonnay, with all net proceeds donated to breast cancer research. As for sharing with her LPGA colleagues, Cristie says, “we do frequent tasting on the road, and the girls tell me they love them—at least to my face!” Whether professional or amateur, golf is a game that serves immediate results after eighteen holes, but as any of these champion golfers can attest, a good wine demands a bit longer to appreciate the fruits of their labor. Cristie Kerr S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 29
NVLife_SeptOct_2014
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