WHAT DO "CULBERTSON" PINOT NOIRE AND THE NAPA JAZZ GETAWAY HAVE IN COMMON?

Chart-topping musician, producer, songwriter, wine and jazz festival founder and artistic director Brian Culbertson can add vintner to his burgeoning resume. The recording artist behind 26 No. 1 hits and the star-studded Napa Valley Jazz Getaway is now pouring his new custom-crafted wine, “Culbertson” Pinot Noir by Reata Wines, which he personally blended with Jamieson Ranch Vineyards’ winemaker Nori Nakamura.  

Adorned with his name and signature piano keys on the label, Culbertson describes the wine that is available at Jamieson Ranch, on their website and at all the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway events this June as “a light, smooth and vibrant wine that will pair extremely well with lots of different types of food. This was the second time that I’ve blended a wine, but only the first to be released. Working with Nori from Jamieson Ranch Vineyards was very reassuring since he is such a seasoned winemaker. It was a lot of fun and I hope to continue this new ‘Culbertson’ label for years to come.”

“Culbertson” Pinot Noir will be flowing freely tonight at Jamieson Ranch at an exclusive tasting and performance by Culbertson to be attended by Napa Valley VIPs to launch the wine conceived as part of the long-term partnership between the winemaker and Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway that will take place for the third time June 11-15, 2014. The stellar marquee for this year’s Getaway boasts performances by Culbertson along with contemporary jazz, R&B and funk giants Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Ohio Players, Morris Day & The Time, Earl Klugh, Eric Benét, Mavis Staples, Average White Band, comedian Keenen Ivory Wayans and many more. Jamieson Ranch will host thousands of passionate wine and jazz aficionados that travel from all over the world for the festival when the June 14 & 15 concerts take place outdoors on their sprawling grounds.

“Working with Brian Culbertson and Napa Valley Jazz Getaway helps fulfill one cornerstone of the core vision of the Jamieson Ranch experience: to bring light into people's lives through music, art and film. Brian's music truly fills one's soul with light!” said Jamieson Ranch Vineyards President Bill Leigon.

Nakamura elaborated, “A few months back, we had the opportunity to host celebrated jazz musician and Napa Valley Jazz Getaway founder Brian Culbertson for a private blending session. I provided him with Pinot lots from different vineyards featuring various clones, and assisted him as he custom-crafted his own wine. The result is a beautiful 2012 Reata ‘Culbertson’ Pinot Noir, sourced from select Sonoma Coast vineyards. It was interesting to participate in this process with a musician, who approached the blending process much as I do as a winemaker: seeking harmony and balance with the selection of different ‘notes’ -blending components, in this case.”

“Culbertson” Pinot Noir is available by bottle, case and packaged with an autographed copy of Culbertson’s new CD, “Another Long Night Out,” and a pair of Riedel wine glasses decorated with the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway logo. To purchase the wine or for more information, please visit www.JamiesonRanch.com, www.BrianCulbertson.me or www.NapaValleyJazzGetaway.me.