New York, NY (January 26, 2016) – LVE: Legend Vineyard Exclusive Wines by Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar-winning singer, songwriter, humanitarian and philanthropist John Legend in collaboration with iconic Napa Valley winery Raymond Vineyards was awarded Wine Enthusiast’s first-ever Wine Star Award for Wine and Culture at the Wine Star Awards Dinner held on Monday, January 25, 2016 in New York City. Mr. Legend delighted the awards ceremony attendees with a surprise appearance and live performance of his hit song, “All of Me”. The award was presented to he and Raymond Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset by Master of Ceremonies and Wine Enthusiast Founder and Chairman Adam Strum. The award recognized Legend’s unique contribution to bringing music, culture and the arts to the world of wine world in creating LVE:, a collection of limited-edition Napa Valley wines created in collaboration with Raymond Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset and Winemaker Stephanie Putnam.
Commenting on his accolade, Legend says, “It is truly an honor to be receiving this award. Legend Vineyard Exclusive was a dream long in the making. I personally love wine and I know that my fans love to enjoy my music with wine. When I began to create the LVE Collection, I wanted something soulful, elegant, complex and seductive. It’s so exciting for me to share with friends, family and fans the exceptional moment that connects music with the palate, where wine intersects with harmony to create the ultimate mood and moment of celebration. Together, wine and music, paired with loved ones, can transcend an ordinary moment to create a resplendent one. Our goal is that LVE Collection wines do just that. To be honored with a Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award for something that I enjoyed creating is truly an honor.”
Speaking of the prestigious honor, Raymond Proprietor and LVE co-creator Jean-Charles Boisset says, “We are thrilled that the editors of Wine Enthusiast have recognized the overwhelming talent that John brings to the world of wine, and the incredible vision he had to bring wine, music and culture together to create the extraordinary LVE Collection of wines. John brings a new texture, a new fabric, a new emotion to the wine world, and a new harmony between the art of wine and music that deepens our appreciation of wine… and life!”
LVE wines are a unique collection of rich, soulful and complex wines that embody romance, style, elegance and sophistication. The LVE collection features a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with a suggested retail price of $85, and a Napa Valley Chardonnay, retailing for $45. LVE wines are available for purchase through LVEwines.com, and can be tasted and purchased at Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena, California (849 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574). The wines are also available in select fine wine retailers and in Fleming’s restaurants nationwide beginning February 1st, 2016.
For those interested in purchasing the LVE limited-edition wines or for more information, please visit www.LVEwines.com and www.raymondvineyards.com.
About Raymond Vineyards
Raymond Vineyards, founded in 1970, comprises more than 300 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena and Jameson Canyon. Five generations of the Raymond family created a Napa icon, with an enduring reputation for elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power and complexity. Today, guided by the vision of Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker Stephanie Putnam, and Winegrower Eric Pooler, Raymond Vineyards is one of the wine world’s most dynamic winery destinations. Blending phenomenal wines with guest experiences that unite education, passion and entertainment, the winery offers diverse opportunities to explore wine, leading it to be named Sunset’s “Best Tasting Room – Experience Beyond Tasting” in 2011, 2012 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, and one of Wine Spectator’sTop 100 Wines of 2013 for the 95-point rated 2010 Generations Cabernet Sauvignon. Raymond’s estate vineyards are certified organic and Biodynamic, the Napa Green certified winery generates 100% of its energy needs from on-site solar panels, and is additionally certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. To learn more, please visit: www.raymondvineyards.com.
About Boisset Collection
Boisset is a family-owned collection of historic and unique wineries bound together by a common cause: authentic, terroir-driven wines in harmony with their history, their future and the land and people essential to their existence. With more than twenty historical and prestigious wineries in the world’s preeminent terroirs, including the Côte d’Or, Beaujolais, Rhône Valley, California’s Russian River Valley and the Napa Valley, each house retains its unique history, identity, and style, and all are united in the pursuit of fine wines expressive of their terroir. To learn more about the Boisset Collection, please visit www.boissetcollection.com.
