Article and pic of Mick's appearance at Gelson's

[Livia]

http://www.toacorn.com/news/2006/060..._Town/046.html

On The Town June 8, 2006

Rock legend uncorks his wine collection
By Sylvie Belmond [email protected]

COLLECTOR-Michael Morrow, right, of Canoga Park is happy about getting the signature of Mick Fleetwood and a bottle of Chardonnay from Fleetwood's Private Cellar Collection at Gelson's market in Westlake last Friday. Morrow, a longtime fan of the band Fleetwood Mac, brought his Rumors album cover to be signed by the drummer and he now has the autographs of all of the rock band's members on the album.

Andi Sherwin was overjoyed because Mick Fleetwood, one of the founding members of Fleetwood Mac, was sitting a few feet away from her at Gelson's Market in the Westlake portion of Thousand Oaks last Friday.

Fleetwood was autographing bottles of his Private Cellar Collection wine for local residents who lined up for a glimpse of the celebrity. Each visitor got to spend a few minutes talking with the legendary rocker. Fleetwood's latest CD was also on tap.

"I'm so excited," said Sherwin, at whose wedding the Fleetwood Mac song "Landslide" was played 28 years ago.

"The adventure with wine was pulled out of my fantasy wish list and it has slowly become a reality," Fleetwood said.

Although he isn't a wine connoisseur, the rock musician explained wine is something very personal for him. "It's been a lot of fun and it's also been a learning process," he said while driving to the California wine country recently.

"I've met some great people who have a passion about what they do," Fleetwood said, adding he's not doing this to boost his celebrity ego. "I keep it simple and genuine and the wine is a reflection of my style and journey," Fleetwood said.

"I have great options put in front of me, but keep a very closed approach, in terms of: Is this what I like?"

Promoting the wine collection has many upsides, Fleetwood said.

"I've always had a lot of fun traveling, and talking to people is something that comes very naturally," he said.

"We admired him for years," said Steve and Dana Geldman of Westlake Village, who were also thrilled at the opportunity to meet Fleetwood.

"If your wine is anything like your music, it's going to be first class," Simi Valley resident Rich Cronin told Fleetwood when he greeted the famous drummer.

"Music and wine," Fleetwood replied quietly as he chatted for a few minutes with each visitor.

Most people showed up with a bottle of wine with the 58-yearold rocker on the label, or with his latest CD, but 10-year-old Michael Buchheit came with more. He brought his Fender Stratocaster for an autograph.

"My favorite song is 'Don't Stop,'" the aspiring Westlake Village musician said.

When he isn't performing with Fleetwood Mac or working on a music project, Mick drums up

new entrepreneurial ideas with his Westlake Village business partner Jonathan Todd, who owns Sabre Entertainment.

Sabre Entertainment created Fleetwood Marketing, a corporation devoted to marketing, licensing and branding products endorsed by Mick Fleetwood. Todd is also co-executive producer of "Something Big," The Mick Fleetwood Band's debut album.

From sample drum tracks for Sonic Foundry to collaborating with the publisher of a unique collection of 12 hand-signed Salvador Dal lithographs to the vineyards of Central California, Fleetwood's business ventures are a matter of taste.

He's found success in bringing his taste to the world, and Fleetwood's private wine collection is no exception, Todd said.

Fleetwood came to personally introduce his Private Cellar label at Gelson's because the small store chain committed to carrying the brand, according to Todd.

"Mick enjoys wine and the concept was to find a wine that he can serve to his friends," said John Henigin of Premium Distributors.

The wine's flavor is earthy and oaky," Dana Geldman said.

Fleetwood's wines include Private Cellar Chardonnay, Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar Cuvee and Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar Pinot Noir. The wines come from California's Santa Ynez Valley and cost between $15 and $30.

According to the market's press release, the Chardonnay is a medium-bodied wine with flavors of tropical fruit and citrus; the Cuvee is a rich, supple blend of 25 percent Cabernet Franc and 75 percent Merlot grapes, aged for 30 months in French Oak casks and 18 months in the bottle; the Pinot Noir Cuvee is a rich and mellow blend of Pinot Noir grapes from Santa Barbara County. These wines pair well with both casual and gourmet cuisines and earn the distinction Mick Fleetwood, Private Cellar.

Fleetwood's latest CD, "Something Big," was playing in the

background as people lined up in Westlake. The CD is The Mick Fleetwood Band's debut album, which showcases the timeless yet

contemporary, rocking and eloquent sound of the band. Visit www.MickFleetwood.com for more information.

In a Nutshell

"Something Big" was released

in September 2004.

The Mick Fleetwood Band is composed of

Fleetwood, Todd Smallwood, Lauren Evans

and special guests. Fleetwood was the drummer of Fleetwood Maca band he co-founded in 1967.

This is his third solo effort.

[DavidMn]

He looks pretty good in that picture.