Second Vintage of Collaboration Features the Dead’s Iconic Dancing Bear and Lightning Bolt-Skull Motifs in Collectible Bottles that Come to Life Under Black Light
LODI, Calif., August 10, 2023— For American Deadheads awash in nostalgia after this summer’s momentous farewell tour by Dead & Co., two new wines from Gnarly Head offer a suitable way to toast the Grateful Dead and keep the vibes flowing. Gnarly Head wines and the Grateful Dead are back with year two of their successful wine partnership, releasing this month two Limited Edition vintages—a gnarly Old Vine Zinfandel and a Cabernet Sauvignon- that bring two of the band’s most-loved and iconic graphic to life in stunning labels that glow under black light.
The Limited-Edition 2021 Gnarly Head x Grateful Dead Old Vine Zinfandel features the Dead’s lovable, dancing bears, with a new glow-under-blacklight design that gives the smiling bears a whole new life. Originating from the back cover art on the band’s 1973 album “History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice)”, the bears celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2023.
The Limited-Edition 2021 Gnarly Head x Grateful Dead Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the Grateful Dead’s emblematic “Steal Your Face” design. Swirling lines emanate from the skull in pulsing circles that look even cooler when glowing under black light.
“Gnarly Head’s inaugural vintage collaboration with the Grateful Dead last year was a huge success and helped drive 23 percent dollar growth in sales for the brand1,” remarked Andrew Blok, Portfolio Director for Delicato Family Wines, which makes Gnarly Head wines.
The embossed label designs glow in the dark if exposed to sunlight during the day or under LED blue light.
Blok continued, “To meet demand, we’ve significantly increased production for both wines for year two, while maintaining the old vine sourcing for our Zinfandel, which is key to this wine’s fantastic quality and its smooth, juicy richness.” The Zinfandel draws on 35- to 85-year-old-vines grown in California’s Lodi region, while the brooding, darkly fruity Cabernet carries a California appellation.
Grateful Dead archivist and legacy manager, David Lemieux, noted that “The Grateful Dead experience has always been one-of-a-kind, so it’s fitting to partner again with Gnarly Head Wines to create one-of a-kind wine bottles. The music of The Grateful Dead has always invoked connection and authenticity rooted in passion and creativity, much like the California wines crafted by Gnarly Head. I hope our second-year partnership continues to inspire existing and new fans alike to jam out and rejoice in some great music and wine.”
Gnarly Head’s Limited-Edition Old Vine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon is starting to hit retail nationwide this month at a suggested retail price of $12. For more information about the limited release or other Gnarly Head wines, visit gnarlyhead.com or follow the brand on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
About the Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans. As the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of popular culture but because it is a true counterculture that exists to this very day-one that earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs. By 1995, the Grateful Dead had attracted the most concertgoers in the history of the music business, and today remains one of the all-time leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music. Today, the connection is as strong as ever. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and received a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Their final tally of 2,318 total concerts remains a world record. The Grateful Dead recently celebrated their 55th Top 40 album on the Billboard chart, a feat no other group has achieved.
About Gnarly Head Wines
Gnarly Head is crafted by Delicato Family Vineyards, a family-owned California winery founded in 1924. Four generations of the Indelicato family have guided grapes from vineyard to bottle and into homes and dining establishments around the world. Delicato Family Vineyards is steadfastly committed to crafting and representing wines of the highest quality produced in accordance with sustainable winegrowing practices. Gnarly Head was launched in 2005 and takes its name from the gnarled free standing “head trained” vines found in the Lodi region of California – some of which were planted over a century ago. The Gnarly Head portfolio includes Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
