A lawyer, classical singer, author, documentary maker… Andrea Bocelli’s professional interests have spanned multiple galaxies over the past decades. But his star power hasn’t dimmed. And now the global superstar can add winemaking to his roster of achievements.
Born in a rural Tuscan town in 1958, Bocelli inherited “a deep love for the land” from his family, who sold farm machinery and dabbled in winemaking.
“I would describe myself as a connoisseur, but a very moderate drinker,” says Bocelli, whose memories of wine began with “tiny sips stolen from my father’s glass”.
A bottle of red, he reveals, felt synonymous with home. “My father took pride in the wine he made and drank, even though it was a simple, amateur effort crafted by hand – just as his father and grandfather had done before him.”
All that is about to change, however, as early next year Bocelli and his brother Alberto will reveal to the world their debut wine collection, produced in partnership with Zonin1821. The Italian powerhouse behind the extraordinary success of Kylie Minogue’s Prosecco, Zonin1821 owns seven wine estates across Italy and supplies wines to some of the UK’s most prestigious on-trade venues, including Claridge’s, The Connaught and La Petite Maison. It’s a far cry in terms of scale and international acclaim from the Bocelli family’s humble winemaking roots, and yet perhaps not so much in terms of core values.
Bocelli reveals he is relieved to have found in Zonin1821 “a partner of the highest calibre – a large wine group that, despite its size, remains family-run and driven by a passion for local winemaking traditions, and care for the land”. The multi-award-winning tenor’s wine range goes by the name of Bocelli1831, and comprises three expressions: a Prosecco DOC, a white IGT Tuscany blend of Viognier and Vermentino, and a red IGT Tuscany blend made from Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Priced between £11–£12.50, the wines will be commercially available in the first quarter of 2025.
While almost all celebrities with a drinks brand under their belt claim to be “hands-on” during the creative process, Bocelli was not afraid to completely rip up the rulebook.
To read the full interview, click HERE.