Ja Rule launches premium Alexander Valley wine label

Rapper Ja Rule ventures into the world of premium wines with the launch of his Rose Vine Cellars label, its first bottle retailing for a cool US$100.

The Always on Time singer might be new to the world of wine but if his new collection is anything to go by he already has his finger on the pulse of evolving wine regions.

California’s Alexander Valley AVA, just north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, was once associated with bulk wines, but in recent years has undergone a premium transformation, with E & J Gallo snapping up substantial amounts of Alexander Valley land to establish its fine wine brand. In 2015 Gallo bought a further 200 hectares in Alexander Valley when it acquired Asti winery from Treasury Wine Estates.

Now Ja Rule has teamed up with Ross Reedy, director of winemaking at Truett Hurst winery and VML Wines, and wine marketing company Wines That Rock to launch his Rose Vine Cellars label.

To kickstart his wine business, the rapper has released two high-end Alexander Valley expressions; Red Rose Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (US$100) and an Autographed Limited Edition bottle dipped in red wax (US$150), both of which are offered as a set for US$250.

“This launch is near and dear to my heart; one of my favourite things to do after a long day is pour myself a nice glass of wine,” said Ja Rule.

“This collab with wine master Ross Reedy and Wines That Rock is something we’ve spent a lot of time on because we wanted it to be perfect. Our goal was to create something unique, sophisticated and luxurious, and this collection is exactly that. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

The Cabernet Sauvignon hails from 60-year-old vines in Alexander Valley, and according to Rose Vine Cellars boasts “rich notes of blackcurrant, cherry and dark chocolate, all balanced with velvety tannins.” It has been aged for 24 months in French Oak.

Winemaker Reedy studied Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, while also working at a boutique winery in Paso Robles.

After graduating in 2005, he travelled the world working in cellars, vineyards, and winemaking labs across Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Napa Valley before returning to Sonoma County.

Wines That Rock was born out of a passion for music and wine, with bottles influenced by “the spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.

Designed to bridge the gap between the arts and wine, the company has launched wines including Fifty Shades of Grey Wine, The Bachelor Wine, Cirque du Soleil and Downton Abbey Wine collections.