Kathie Lee Gifford releases Gifft wines

Partnership with Scheid Family Wines produces Chardonnay, Red Blend

June 5, 2014

Gifft Kathie Lee Gifford, the three-time Emmy-award-winning TV personality, singer, songwriter, actress, producer, playwright and wine lover, released a new line of Gifft-branded wines. The Gifft name derives from Gifford’s last name and her belief that friendship, love and laughter are gifts to be cherished, the company says.

The wines are a result of a 50/50 partnership with Scheid Family Wines, Monterey, Calif., and are crafted from the company’s Monterey estate vineyards. The Gifft portfolio includes a 2012 Estate Grown Chardonnay and a 2011 Estate Grown Red Blend, which is a blend of 42 percent Merlot, 25 percent Petite Sirah, 12 percent Syrah, 10 percent Petit Verdot, and a small percentage of other varietals.

The packaging for the wines depicts Gifford’s favorite place to enjoy wine with friends — her garden gazebo at her home — and features a screwcap closure.

“It’s well documented that I am a wine lover, so when I started talking to the Scheid family about making a wine, it felt like the most natural thing in the world,” Gifford said in a statement. “I wanted to create wines I would want to drink and serve to friends in my home — an elegant Chardonnay like those I tasted in California in the 1970s and an easy-drinking yet balanced Red Blend. And who better to make them with than the Scheids, who have more than 40 years of experience?”

Scheid Family Wines runs 10 estate vineyards and has four decades of experience in Monterey County winegrowing.

“Right away, we just clicked,” said Heidi Scheid of Scheid Family Wines in a statement. “Kathie knew exactly what she wanted from the vineyards, and the wines are exactly the style that we love and that Monterey is perfectly suited to produce. From day one, we were on the same page on how to translate Kathie’s vision into delicious wines. We are thrilled to have her as a collaborator, partner and friend.”

Gifft wines are available at fine wine retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $20 for a 750-ml bottle.

For more information, visit www.gifftwines.com.

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