Elvis Rocks The Wine Charts

March 08, 2005

According to a leading wine industry magazine, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, is fast becoming a monarch of the grape. In its latest issue, Wine Business Monthly magazine named Graceland Cellars one of the hottest small wine brands of the year.

The winery launched the first-ever vintages of Jailhouse Red Merlot, The King Cabernet Sauvignon and Blue Suede Chardonnay in 2004 and quickly established retail distribution in 40 states. A special 4,000 case holiday release of Blue Christmas Cabernet Sauvignon sold out within days last November.

"The response from consumers, distributors, and retailers has been overwhelming," said Scott Cahill, CEO of Graceland Cellars' parent Signature Wines. "There is no reason why good wine can't also be fun. The combination of high quality wines and the Elvis brand has really struck a chord with consumers."

Graceland Cellars gained award-winning status last year with three medals: The 2001 Jailhouse Red Merlot won gold and silver, respectively, at the International Eastern Wine Competition and the Riverside International Wine Competition. The 2001 King Cabernet Sauvignon won a bronze medal at the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition.

With the debut of a major Broadway production based on Elvis' tunes later this month and the premiere of a biographical miniseries on CBS in May, Graceland Cellars is poised for major growth as interest in all things Elvis reaches new heights. Graceland(R) Cellars plans to add new labels and products to the line to support existing distributors, and will continue to expand distributor relationships. Major retail chains currently stocking Graceland Cellars' Elvis Presley(R) line include Kroger's, Cost Plus, and many regional chains.

In addition to its retail line, Graceland Cellars offers the Elvis Presley Private Collection, a selection of wines bearing unique labels featuring images of Elvis(R) from the estate archives. Elvis fans can also join the Graceland Cellars Wine Club at www.gracelandcellars.com, and have special collector's editions shipped directly to their homes.

Source:

Business Wire

SendToTodd wrote on March 08, 2005

I really hope that the manufacturers of the Elvis (R) wine ensure that each bottle is numbered, and supplied in a limited edition box, and that the bottle has a real cork stopper, so it would look just like the bottles of wine Elvis would have bought in the 60's had Elvis (R) liked wine. I think that there should be a limited numbered edition wine rack too, rather like the wine rack Elvis (R) would have had at Graceland (R) had Elvis (R) liked to have a Wine collection. How exciting! And then we could have numbered limited edition Colgate toothpast, because like Tony Blair and George W Bush Elvis Presley(R) used Colgate. We Elvis (R) fans have so many special things to look forward too.

Pheniox wrote on March 09, 2005

Todd But im sure the wine wouldent be on display, nope, you would have to ask for it from behind the counter. Monday mornings cueing at the off liceance, oh no !!!!!

dailyone wrote on March 09, 2005

wine ? unbelievable next we will have elvis sing with dean martin ' a little ol wine drinker me . got me puzzled ..

johnlennon wrote on March 09, 2005

You've got to laugh really, ain't you! I know while reading this article I was shaking my head thinking how sad and pathetic it is all getting now. Join the Graceland Cellars Wine Club? Hahaha, give me a break for Christ's sake!

SendToTodd wrote on March 09, 2005

Bad news I'm afraid. Apparently the wine is being sold in bottles you can't open so although can buy it, they don't want you to taste it. Also because the BBC have a programme called "Last of the Summer Wine", and used the word "wine" in the title without getting permission, then the Elvis wine won't be allowed to be used in the programme "Can't Cook - Won't Cook", or be served at Mrs Bucket's Candlelight Suppers.

Viva wrote on March 09, 2005

As I said when these wines were first announced: It says all you need to know about EPE (Or whatever they're called these days) that while Elvis is making British chart history, the only place you will see his face is down the local off licence. I'm quite sure that EPE will ban "Wine Business Monthly magazine" from ever mentioning these wines again as they gave the mag permission to use Elvis' name in the first paragraph, but "Wine Business Monthly magazine" are clearly in breech of the terms of the agreement by using his name in later paragraphs. Nice to hear the phrase "Elvis Brand" used by EPE these days, really shows the care and personal feelings they have towards Elvis.

scott wrote on March 09, 2005

just remember elvis only wanted to fill our hearts not emty our pockets

phantom3428 wrote on March 10, 2005

You take the mick but you'll buy it.

SendToTodd wrote on March 10, 2005

Whilst I know that some fans will have to have a bottle, generally Elvis fans are not that stupid. When Graceland were selling Elvis doggie treats, and the Elvis pooper scooper (how greedy is that), I didn't see fans returning to the UK with arms full of 'em. Elvis is bigger that just an image on a bottle, or cake of soap, and worthy of better. The Elvis merchandise business is not only obscene at times, it is becoming the butt end of jokes. Most fans are more than content to have their CDs DVDs and a few books, and thats how Elvis should be remembered. Lisa Marie was quite within her rights to sell Elvis Presley Enterprises - it's her business and it's her money. That said she can no longer look towards her father's fans for support now that she has decided to jump ship. And I believe that if EPE and or its new owners do something that doesn't meet our approval, then we are quite within our rights to let our feelings known. We have all been there for Graceland, we have suppported them, funded them and applauded them, but we do have the right to speak out, because Elvis belongs to all those who love and cherish his memory - he's not just a picture on a bottle of wine. Todd Slaughter.

Eddie White wrote on March 10, 2005

Todd, I first went to Graceland with the fan club in 1979 and at that time there were souvenier shops opposite Graceland selling this type of stuff. If you remember I think 1980 was the year that David Frost did the tv documentary for British tv about Graceland. I remember him commentating about Elvis trash cans and other tacky merchandise. Times have not changed!