Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power, Two Successful Hollywood Women Breaking Into the Wine Business
Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power, two powerhouse women in Hollywood, have broken the glass ceiling by entering the wine industry. The actors’ transition from the big and small screens to winemaking has many curious about the art and craft of winemaking and the wine industry itself. With their combined experience, knowledge and passion for the trade, the duo is shaking up the wine world and gaining recognition from the industry’s top critics.
In this article, we will explore how Cameron and Katherine came to enter the wine business, their careers before the winemaking journey began, their respective wines, and how their names have become associated with two of the most popular varietals. We’ll also take a look at the challenges they faced and how each of them overcame them with determination and drive.
Backgrounds of Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power
Cameron Diaz is a Hollywood actress renowned for her roles in blockbuster films such as There’s Something About Mary and The Mask. Her successful career in Hollywood has spanned over two decades and counting. A native of California, Diaz attended the prestigious Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where she was an all-star athlete.
Katherine Power is best known as the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Clique Brands, an online media and commerce platform. Before Clique Brands, Power was the co-founder and CEO of the beauty brands, Butter London and Beauty.com. She is also the co-founder and Chairman of the Association of British Fashion Designers, having served as a leading Entrepreneur in Residence at The White House for President Obama’s administration.
Why Diaz and Power Broke Into the Wine Business
The beautiful thing about wine is its ability to link people together. This holds true for Diaz and Power, whose mutual love for the drink led them to join forces and create their own brands.
The women first bonded over a bottle of bubbly during a gathering in 2011, and it wasn’t long before their conversations pivoted towards the idea of creating their own wines. The two had long been drawn to the refined flavors and wide-ranging styles of wines, inspiring them to become winemakers themselves.
Before launching their brands, Diaz and Power each had to conquer a few challenges. For Diaz, her biggest hurdle was finding a unique wine-making style that would set her product apart from other wines on the market. She labored for months with the help of trusted vintners to craft a distinct blend that balances lightness and complexity in flavor.
For Power, her challenge was finding the right vineyards that shared her vision and dedication to cultivating grapes. After an extensive search, she narrowed down her vineyard selection to locations in Spain, Italy, France and South Africa. Her criteria for the right vineyard included its position near the sea and its commitment to sustainable farming practices.
Their Brands, the Wines and Which Varietals They Offer
Cameron Diaz’s brand is named Avaline and it focuses on creating crisp white and light rosé wines that emphasize freshness and fruit. Her type of rosé is known as piscine, which is a French term that means “pool fresh” and is indicative of the refreshing quality the French winemaker seeks to capture in her product. The Avaline wines are made from the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir varietals.
Katherine Power’s brand is called Avaline Red and it focuses on crafting bold and full-bodied reds. Her types of grape varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec. They are sourced from regional and global varieties and blended together for a unique flavor profile in each bottle.
The Challenges They Faced and How Each Overcame Them
When Diaz and Power first began their journey, they faced several challenges, including lack of experience and funding. But, they both had a deep passion and commitment to the project, giving them the determination they needed to make it a success.
To gain the knowledge they needed, Diaz and Power educated themselves on the wine-making process and connected with experienced vintners to collaborate on an idea that would set their wines apart. With the financial aspect of the project, they leveraged their personal contacts in the industry and sought out angel investors to provide an infusion of capital.
Their Products Are Gaining Recognition from Top Critics
Their hard work paid off. Both Avaline and Avaline Red have earned high ratings from wine critics, with Avaline receiving a 93 point rating from the esteemed Wine Spectator in its June 2020 issue.
In addition, their individual wines are gaining accolades from the critics. Cameron Diaz’s 2018 Chardonnay was recently named one of the top wines of 2020 by Wine Enthusiast, and Power’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 94 points by both Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator.
The Celebrities Turn Wine Critics
The duo have also taken on the role of wine critics, hosting their own weekly web show, The Secret Sis of Wine. The show, which has millions of viewers, highlights new wines and provides helpful tips on wine selection and pairing.
Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power have proven that breaking into the wine industry isn’t just feasible, but can be done with much success.
Diaz and Power have done an incredible job in a relatively short period of time, and their story is a great example of a successful collaboration between two people who share a love for wine and a passion for creating the perfect product.
From their primary successes in Hollywood to their current roles in the industry, this dynamic duo has already made an incredible impression in the wine world. It’s no surprise that their names have come to be associated with two of the most popular varietals among wine critics and industry experts.
