You might recognise the name Francis Coppola as the famed five-time Oscar-winning film director, producer, and screenwriter behind blockbusters like Patton, The Godfather, Apocalypse Now and Bram Stoker ‘s Dracula , plus dozens more movies. But Coppola and his family have expanded to a wide range of other businesses, including becoming wine producers. Indeed, the initial foray was in 1975 under the Niebaum-Coppola label. In 1995, he bought the Inglenook Winery Chateau, renaming it Rubicon Estate Winery in 2006. He eventually acquired the Inglenook trademark in 2011, allowing him to call the estate by its original name.

Francis Ford Coppola wineryIn 2006, Coppola and his wife bought a property in Sonoma county. Four years later it was launched as the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. This winery resort features wine-tasting bars, two restaurants, a full bar, a swimming pool with European-style cabins, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park area complete with game tables and bocce courts (an Italian variety of lawn bowling played on a dirt court that is shorter and narrower than the rink of a bowling green). Francis Ford Coppola Winery occasionally hosts United States Bocce Federation tournaments.Coppola wines are not new to our shores. They were once imported and sold at the Rum, Roast & Royals shop in Devon House. The wines, however, disappeared with the establishment’s closure.Years later, while vacationing on our island, Ford Coppola requested his own wines; wine importer & distributor Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ) took up the challenge to ensure he was happy.The rest is its second coming!Many wineries offer wines of varying levels of complexity, sometimes under different brands and at different price points; this to be able to offer a product to a wide range of the wine drinking market. Coppola is no exception, for with 11 different brands ranging from their flagship icon wine Archimedes (named after his uncle who was named after the Greek mathematician) to their everyday drinking wine — Rosso & Bianco. The most diverse range of Coppola Winery, consisting of about a dozen wines, is the Diamond Collection. This varietal series is made from grapes grown in vineyards from across California.

SavourAt a recent tasting, aptly called Savour and hosted by marketing and events coordinator Shannon McClure in association with CPJ, patrons enjoyed four impresive Coppola wines; first was the Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc, a light elegant crispy wine fill with tropical flavours; second was the Francis Coppola Sofia Rosé (a series dedicated to his daughter) — crisp, delicate, and elegantly fruity dry rosé. The third wine was the Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Zinfandel — an easy-drinking zin with vivid California flavours of fruit and spice. The final pour was the ultra-premium Bordeaux blend Claret which is the Coppola Diamond signature red wine, layered with flavours of blackberry, cassis and roasted espresso. Guests enjoyed each wine paired with complementary hors d’oeuvres.The wines were new to most in attendance who were delighted at the opportunity to try them, while being guided through the tasting by Michael Turner, CPJ’s trade marketing manager.

Christopher Reckord – Information Technology Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram @chrisreckord and on Twitter: @Reckord