Grammy award-winning, Oscar-nominated singer, songwriter and actress Mary J. Blige and Fantinel Winery announced the launch of Sun Goddess Wines, a collection of limited-edition wines created in collaboration with the internationally prestigious winery. Sun Goddess Wines are a collection of bold, crisp and rich wines that embody warmth, passion, energy and a deeper connection to nature, the company says.

Produced from Fantinel owned by the Fantinel family in Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Sun Goddess collection features an Italian Pinot Grigio Ramato and an Italian Sauvignon Blanc. The Sun Goddess name was born to capture the spirit inspired by Mary’s powerful childhood memories with her mother and an endless love for the warmth and energy of the sun, the company says.

“A dear friend introduced me to Marco Fantinel referring to him as the producer of the best Pinot Grigio in the world. After walking through the vineyards and tasting with the Fantinel family, I felt extremely connected to the place, and more importantly, the people,” Blige said in a statement. “In that moment, I felt the same magical energy I have long tried to capture from the sun and knew this was an incredible opportunity to partner with someone who shared that passion and together we could try to create something that evoked that feeling.”  

With a pinkish tinge, the Pinot Grigio Ramato is a complex, full-bodied wine with a elegantly crisp finish with hints of peach, melon and blackberry scents, the company says. The Sauvignon Blanc is comprised purely of hand-picked Sauvignon Blanc grapes harvested from the foothills of the Dolomite mountains. The aromatic wine features a velvety smoothness, it adds.

“We are thrilled to partner with Mary on these exquisite wines,” said Marco Fantinel, company chief executive officer. “She is an icon whose creativity, passion and strength has driven her to unparalleled success in all her endeavors. From day one, it was clear she shares our philosophy for producing wines of the highest quality, authentic expressions of our land, dedication and craftsmanship, and we could not think of a better partner and collaborator to bring customers these beautiful new wines.

“Mary is a fan of Pinot Grigio. She visited our winery in harvest time and when she was holding in her hands a bunch of Pinot Grigio ‘red grapes’ a sort of magical connection was created that gave birth to the idea of producing together a rosè wine,” he continues. “We decided to follow the production method carried out in ancient times in Friuli Venezia Giulia, based on a short maceration of the grapes, and to recreate the original Pinot Grigio, the PINOT GRIGIO RAMATO. An outstanding product whose quality excellence has already been acknowledged.”

Both wines in the Sun Goddess Collection have a suggested retail price of $19.99 and are available for pre-sale nationwide on Wine.com and for purchase in New York and New Jersey through New York-based distributor Verity. Beginning in August, Sun Goddess wines will be available for purchase in-stores nationwide through exclusive importer Trinity Beverage Group.