Josh Groban's Pinot Noir Philanthropy

Josh Groban's Pinot Noir Philanthropy

- Brain Bowen Smith

With worldwide album sales surpassing 30 million copies, four Grammy nominations and consistently sold-out shows on some of the world’s biggest stages, Josh Groban has been a star vocalist since his teens, with singles like “You Raise Me Up.” His acting chops are nearly as impressive: Groban, 36, earned his first Tony Award nomination this year—Best Actor in a Musical—for his performance as Pierre in Broadway’s Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. But what even his most loyal fans may not know is that the baritone balladeer is pursuing a quieter art: winemaking.

Groban’s big break in that field came earlier this year when he met boutique Sonoma winery owner Ross Halleck, who offered to produce a limited-edition wine to benefit Groban’s arts–education charity, the Find Your Light Foundation. In June, the two released the Halleck Vineyard 2014 Find Your Light Pinot Noir, and it sold so well that they decided to continue the venture.

In August, Groban traveled to Halleck’s Sebastopol headquarters to help assemble the 2016 Find Your Light blend, primarily from the Haas Vineyard in the Sonoma Mountain AVA. Afterward, he spoke with editorial assistant Lexi Williams about learning the art of blending, how he caught the wine bug and how his favorite winemakers are “crazy in all the best ways.”

Wine Spectator: How did this partnership come about?