NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker has partnered with internationally acclaimed winemaker Chris Radomski to join AS ONE CRU, a wine brand created to bring people together and create memorable experiences. As part of the creative team, Rucker’s elegance and taste will play a key role in the evolution of these wines from conception to completion.
“I’ve been a big fan of wine since my buddy Dan Marino shared some amazing bottles with me in the early Hootie & the Blowfish days,” reflects Rucker. “To me, a great wine is about the moments you create with the people you love. I’ve had the same musical family – the same crew – for almost 30 years, so the spirit of AS ONE CRU is something I’ve been living for a long time. And it really doesn’t hurt that the wine is absolutely delicious!”
AS ONE CRU boasts two 99-point wines and currently offers beautiful Napa Valley and Oregon pinot noirs, as well as a sophisticated, full-bodied Napa cabernet, with more varietals to be released this summer.
After 25 years and 20-plus 100-point ratings for his wines, Radomski is no stranger to creating award-winning wines. As a founding partner of Layer Cake and Hundred Acre wines, Radomski says AS ONE CRU was inspired from a different place.
“I’ve always felt music, art, food and wine are interconnected – they’re all ways to collaborate and soak up time with your friends & family – your crew,” he shares. “Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply enjoying the company of your loved ones, there’s nothing like coming together over a glass of great wine.”
He continues, “I’ve been a fan of Darius from the ‘90s up through the amazing stuff he’s doing right now in Country music, and we’re really thrilled to welcome him to the CRU. He brings an authentic, laid-back charm that represents what this wine is all about.”
“There’s an artistry in every sip,” says CRU member Rahul “Raj” Sheth of SOTC Multimedia Group, “the depth of the flavors, the meaning behind the name – it’s an emotion and a philosophy in a bottle.”
Rucker shared his excitement, noting, “As a kid from Charleston, I’ve been lucky to live out my dreams of making music that so many people have created memories over. AS ONE CRU is another way I can share what I love with the world. I can’t wait for you to experience the wines!”
AS ONE CRU pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon are available now at www.asonecruwines.com.
ABOUT DARIUS RUCKER
Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (21x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. His brand-new album Carolyn’s Boy is available everywhere now along with current single “Never Been Over,” recently re-released as a duet with Sugarland vocalist Jennifer Nettles. His first book, a memoir titled “Learn to Live” available everywhere now via Dey Street Books.
As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has raised over $4.3 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. In addition, Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. Rucker is also an avid sports fan, with his Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics line of NFL, MLB and NCAA apparel available at Fanatics.com, and he is part of the Music City Baseball investment group working to bring an MLB team to Tennessee in addition to serving as a partner at the MGC Sports & Entertainment agency.
For more information, visit www.dariusrucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.
ABOUT AS ONE CRU
AS ONE CRU is a boutique selection of rare, hand-crafted wines. Spearheaded by renowned Vintner, Chris Radomski, with a legacy of 100-point wines, alongside top Chefs and Sommeliers to craft an incredibly balanced yet bold collection of wines to reflect the true nature of the varietals of Napa Valley and other great wine regions. AS ONE CRU spares no expense to create wines that overdeliver for the price, and can stand up against the top wines from around the globe. AS ONE CRU wines are currently available to private clients and to fine restaurants.
For more information, visit www.asonecruwines.com
