Business of booze: Celebs who launched alcohol brands

Former NFL star Peyton Manning made a huge influence in the world of sports, but now he has set his sights on a different game: the business of booze. The two-time Super Bowl champion launched Sweetens Cove Tennessee Bourbon with former world No. 1 tennis pro Andy Roddick, and with investment from his brothers Cooper and Eli Manning. Plus, he had the guidance of Kentucky's first female Master Distiller, Marianne Eaves, to create his blend of Tennessee bourbons, which are aged 4, 6, and 16 years, and boast notes of deep toasted oak and sweet brown sugar, People reports.

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Mark Wahlberg -

Mark Wahlberg is already a successful businessman with his own chain of gyms and burger restaurants. But now he has invested in tequila! Wahlberg was invited to join Flecha Azul, a tequila brand started by Mexican PGA golfer Abraham Ancer and entrepreneur Aron Marquez. He flew down to their distillery in Mexico for a taste test and a tour, and reportedly put down a hefty check on the spot. There are even rumors he will challenge his friends Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson, who also own their own tequila brands, to see whose stuff is the best.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt -

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt purchased a French winery called Château Miraval together in 2008. They later got married there in 2014. They each had a 50% stake in the property and vineyard, but Pitt fought to regain a majority share after Jolie requested to sell her half amid their divorce. Jolie succeeded in offloading her stake to the company Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli Group, for an undisclosed amount.

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Mariah Carey -

On August 16, Mariah Carey announced her entry to the world of booze with her own line of cream liqueurs called Black Irish. According to the press release, Carey chose the name Black Irish as "a playful nod to her Black and Irish lineage," as her father was of Black and Venezuelan descent, and her mother has an Irish background. "I have been putting my heart into this project for almost two years and I am so excited to finally share this news with you all," Carey said in a release. "I wanted to create something that embodies the holidays and gives everyone a reason to celebrate year-round, and I really think we have done that with Black Irish." Since the 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' singer has become linked with the holidays, it's a fitting choice.

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge -

Phoebe Waller-Bridge designed a limited edition gin inspired by her hit stage-play-turned-TV-series 'Fleabag,' through Edinburgh Gin to help raise money for Edinburgh Festival Fringe performers in 2022, EW reports. The bottle features the famous lines, "I love you" and "It'll pass," from that heart-wrenching moment in the series finale between Waller-Bridge's Fleabag and Andrew Scott's "Hot Priest," the latter of whom actually hand wrote a message on the bottle.

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Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul -

'Breaking Bad' stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul teamed up once again, but instead of drugs they're making mezcal! The actors notably promoted their Dos Hombres line by knocking it back across so many events in Miama and Montauk over one weekend that partygoers were convinced they had body doubles. A source told Page Six: "I don’t know how they left standing because they had a drink with every single person at the place."

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Kendall Jenner -

The model announced her 818 Tequila brand on Instagram in Feburary 2021, which she says has been a few years in the making. The brand has already anonymously won tasting competitions for a variety of categories, plus the Ultimate Spirits Challenge competition called it "the greatest tasting tequila of 2020.

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LeBron James -

NBA star LeBron James has decided to get in on the action with new tequila company Lobos 1707. He reportedly fell in love with their product while on vacation in Italy, and felt a connection to tequila with the property he'd previously bought in Cabo. Ah, to be rich.

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Ryan Reynolds -

The actor became an owner and creative director of Aviation Gin in February 2018. Now it has been bought by beverage company Diageo (the same company that bought George Clooney's tequila brand) for an upfront payment of US$355 million and a possible $275 million more based on performance, making for a potential total of $610 million.

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George Clooney - The actor had his own tequila brand, Casamigos, which he created with Rande Gerber (left), former model and husband of Cindy Crawford (center), as well as property developer Mike Meldman.

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George Clooney - The billion-dollar sale of their tequila brand was actually the reason Clooney became the richest actor of 2018!

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Adam Levine and Sammy Hagar -

The former Van Halen vocalist teamed up with the Maroon 5 front man to launch Santo Mezquila, a mix of tequila and mezcal.

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Matthew McConaughey - The actor has served as the Creative Director of the Wild Turkey bourbon brand since 2016 (after investing a cool US$4 million), and in 2018 he unveiled his first creation: Wild Turkey Longbranch, a bourbon filtered with Texas mesquite and oak charcoals.

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David Beckham - The former soccer star helped launch Haig Club whisky in 2014, giving the single grain scotch whisky a stylish and luxurious air.

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Drew Barrymore - The actress partnered with Carmel Road winemaker Kris Kato to create an offering of Barrymore Wines.

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Justin Timberlake - In 2009, Timberlake launched his own tequila, and five years later he re-launched it with established tequila brand Sauza, calling it Sauza 901 (named after his hometown postal code of Memphis, Tennessee).

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Blake Shelton - The country singer helped develop Smithworks Vodka, which is made with corn from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma (his home state), and water from Lake Fort Smith.

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Jay-Z - Jay-Z's origin in the liquor industry stems from the Cristal Champagne director's racist remark when asked about the brand's popularity with rappers. Jay-Z immediately removed Cristal from his luxury sports bar, encouraged a boycott, then became the proud owner of his own rival premium champagne, Armand de Brignac.

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Sammy Haggar -

Along with his tequila with Adam Levine, the singer also owns Sammy's Beach Bar Rum.

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Francis Ford Coppola - The famed director bought a Napa Valley winery in 1975 and created his first vintage two years later. The Francis Ford Coppola Winery also launched a Gia By Gia Coppola line.

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Bethenny Frankel - The 'Real Housewives' star is also behind the Skinnygirl franchise, which spans wines, vodkas, margaritas, and sangria.

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Baz Luhrmann - The Hollywood director launched Absolute Vodka's first-ever limited-edition brand, Absolut Oz Vodka, back in 2014.

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P. Diddy - Sean "Diddy" Combs, also jokingly referred to as "Ciroc Obama," was the reason Ciroc vodka became number two in the premium vodka category. In 2014, he announced a new brand, DeLeon tequila, of which he owns 50%.

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George Strait -

The country musician owns a part of the tequila brand Código 1530.

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Danny DeVito - The idea for Danny DeVito's Premium Limoncello reportedly came after DeVito got drunk with George Clooney and pulled an all-nighter, then proceeded to appear on 'The View' and bashed George W. Bush while the hosts laughed.

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Channing Tatum - In 2017, Tatum partnered with Grand Teton Distillery to create Born and Bred Vodka. "Now, I'm a stripper that became an actor that I guess is working in vodka," Tatum told Bon Appetit, "Nothing surprises me anymore."

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Drake - Drake collaborated with Deleón tequila creator Brent Hocking to create Virginia Black whiskey.

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AC/DC - The Australian band launched Thunder Struck Tequila in 2016, which comes in silver, reposado, and añejo.

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AC/DC - They also released an AC/DC-themed beer in Europe back in 2013.

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AC/DC - Even before that, they released a wine in 2011. Guess we all know what makes the AC/DC boys tick!

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Marilyn Manson - Manson owns the punny absinthe brand Mansinthe, for which the label artwork is a self-portrait watercolor painting done by Manson titled 'When I Get Old.'

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Olivia Newton-John - The Australian 'Grease' star founded a winery in 1983 called Koala Blue Wines. She later signed a massive US$36 million distribution deal in America.

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Bob Dylan - The Nobel Prize-winning artist launched a range of whiskies in collaboration with liquor entrepreneur Marc Bushala, called Heaven's Door. The range includes a rye, a seven-year-old bourbon, and a double-barreled whiskey.

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Dan Aykroyd - The Canadian comedian, musician, and filmmaker worked with American painter John Alexander to create Crystal Head Vodka, famously sold in glass skulls.

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Dan Aykroyd - In association with Lakeview Wine Company, Dan Aykroyd Wines show off the actor's affinity for a good vintage. The vineyard is in Niagara-on-the-Lake in southern Ontario.

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Usain Bolt - Bolt is the CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) of Maison Mumm, who makes the champagne G.H. Mumm, which is reportedly the only champagne that can be drunk in space!

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Fergie - Fergie became a partner and part-owner of Voli Vodka after Pitbull told her about his own investment. The company's light vodkas have between 25% and 40% less calories than normal vodkas.

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Robert De Niro -

The legendary actor helped launch the brand Vdka 6100 in partnership with an Australian spirits company called the Artisan Spirits Merchants (ASM).

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Jon Bon Jovi - In February 2018, the singer announced the debut of his rosé brand, inspired by summers spent on the East End and dubbed Diving Into Hampton Water.

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Dave Matthews - The front man of the Dave Matthews Band launched his own line of wines, Dreaming Tree, in 2011. Made in collaboration with Sonoma County winemaker Sean McKenzie, it is named after one of the band's songs.

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Wayne Gretzky - While he doesn't play much hockey anymore, The Great One does have his own winery and distillery. Every bottle created at the Niagara-on-the-Lake estate is branded No. 99, his jersey number.

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Kyle MacLachlan - Actor and grape-lover Kyle MacLachlan created a range of wines called Pursued by Bear in collaboration with Dunham Cellars in the state of Washington.

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Dennis Rodman - The former NBA star launched Dennis Rodman Original Bad A** Premium Vodka.

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Sam Roberts - The Sam Roberts Session Ale, made with Spearhead brewery, won the Best Collaboration Beer at the 2014 Session Craft Beer Festival. According to the experts, the beer has “distinct notes of caramel, subtle undertones of biscuit and a dry, zesty finish that is deliciously refreshing.”

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City and Colour - In collaboration with Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery, Dallas Green created the Imperial Maple Wheat Ale, also known as one of the most Canadian beers ever.

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Mike Weir -

Canada's most famous golfer has his own line of wines. The Mike Weir Wines Estate vineyard is found in the Niagara region of southern Ontario.

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Peyton Manning -

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Mark Wahlberg -

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt -

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Mariah Carey -

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge -

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Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul -

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Kendall Jenner -

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LeBron James -

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Ryan Reynolds -

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George Clooney - The billion-dollar sale of their tequila brand was actually the reason Clooney became the richest actor of 2018!

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Adam Levine and Sammy Hagar -

The former Van Halen vocalist teamed up with the Maroon 5 front man to launch Santo Mezquila, a mix of tequila and mezcal.

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David Beckham - The former soccer star helped launch Haig Club whisky in 2014, giving the single grain scotch whisky a stylish and luxurious air.

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Drew Barrymore - The actress partnered with Carmel Road winemaker Kris Kato to create an offering of Barrymore Wines.

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Blake Shelton - The country singer helped develop Smithworks Vodka, which is made with corn from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma (his home state), and water from Lake Fort Smith.

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Sammy Haggar -

Along with his tequila with Adam Levine, the singer also owns Sammy's Beach Bar Rum.

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Francis Ford Coppola - The famed director bought a Napa Valley winery in 1975 and created his first vintage two years later. The Francis Ford Coppola Winery also launched a Gia By Gia Coppola line.

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Bethenny Frankel - The 'Real Housewives' star is also behind the Skinnygirl franchise, which spans wines, vodkas, margaritas, and sangria.

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Baz Luhrmann - The Hollywood director launched Absolute Vodka's first-ever limited-edition brand, Absolut Oz Vodka, back in 2014.

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George Strait -

The country musician owns a part of the tequila brand Código 1530.

Getty Images

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Drake - Drake collaborated with Deleón tequila creator Brent Hocking to create Virginia Black whiskey.

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AC/DC - The Australian band launched Thunder Struck Tequila in 2016, which comes in silver, reposado, and añejo.

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AC/DC - They also released an AC/DC-themed beer in Europe back in 2013.

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AC/DC - Even before that, they released a wine in 2011. Guess we all know what makes the AC/DC boys tick!

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Marilyn Manson - Manson owns the punny absinthe brand Mansinthe, for which the label artwork is a self-portrait watercolor painting done by Manson titled 'When I Get Old.'

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Olivia Newton-John - The Australian 'Grease' star founded a winery in 1983 called Koala Blue Wines. She later signed a massive US$36 million distribution deal in America.

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Dan Aykroyd - The Canadian comedian, musician, and filmmaker worked with American painter John Alexander to create Crystal Head Vodka, famously sold in glass skulls.

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Dan Aykroyd - In association with Lakeview Wine Company, Dan Aykroyd Wines show off the actor's affinity for a good vintage. The vineyard is in Niagara-on-the-Lake in southern Ontario.

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Usain Bolt - Bolt is the CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) of Maison Mumm, who makes the champagne G.H. Mumm, which is reportedly the only champagne that can be drunk in space!

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Fergie - Fergie became a partner and part-owner of Voli Vodka after Pitbull told her about his own investment. The company's light vodkas have between 25% and 40% less calories than normal vodkas.

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Robert De Niro -

The legendary actor helped launch the brand Vdka 6100 in partnership with an Australian spirits company called the Artisan Spirits Merchants (ASM).

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Jon Bon Jovi - In February 2018, the singer announced the debut of his rosé brand, inspired by summers spent on the East End and dubbed Diving Into Hampton Water.

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Kyle MacLachlan - Actor and grape-lover Kyle MacLachlan created a range of wines called Pursued by Bear in collaboration with Dunham Cellars in the state of Washington.

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Dennis Rodman - The former NBA star launched Dennis Rodman Original Bad A** Premium Vodka.

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City and Colour - In collaboration with Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery, Dallas Green created the Imperial Maple Wheat Ale, also known as one of the most Canadian beers ever.

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Mike Weir -

Canada's most famous golfer has his own line of wines. The Mike Weir Wines Estate vineyard is found in the Niagara region of southern Ontario.

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Business of booze: Celebs who launched alcohol brands

Reese Witherspoon introduces rosé inspired by her book club with SIMI Winery

15/03/22 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Alcohol

Hollywood stars are extremely fun to watch because of the myriad of ways they spend their millions, from lavish lifestyles and opulent mansions to financial scandals and clever investments. A select few celebrities have been investing in alcohol brands, a trend which will likely surge in popularity after the whopping success of stars like George Clooney and Ryan Reynolds.

While Reese Witherspoon's book club might be something we can only dream of joining, you can soon get a taste of it with her novel rosé created in collaboration with SIMI Winery.

On March 14 the Sonoma County wine company and the Hello Sunshine founder joined forces to introduce the Editor's Collection Rosé, described in a release as "an elegant, pale pink, medium-bodied blend with light fruit flavors for a dry, Provence-style wine." It was reportedly developed by SIMI's female-led winemaking team and "the heroines of Reese's Book Club" over the last year. The wine "uses the best pinot noir grapes sourced from throughout California," and "pairs beautifully with good conversation, books and many favorite book club snacks."

Check out the gallery to see which other stars are making even more money behind the bar.