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Genius in the Bottle

Kevin O’Leary is an accomplished businessman, author, and television star. But winemaking is what this judge on ABC’s Shark Tank likes best. “Nothing is more exciting on earth than doing this. Many celebrities slap their names on bottles of wine. I would never put my name on a bottle I didn’t blend myself.”

Kevin is quite proud of his blends. Recently, while hosting fellow business associates at his lakefront vacation home, he gave the group a taste test: a $1,000-dollar bottle of French Pinot pitted against an O’Leary Pinot. “Can you guess which one they liked?” he asked with a laugh. The question didn’t need an answer. “I’m a good wine maker. I’m competitive that way.”

That competitive spirit and love of wine earned him a tour of the White House wine cellar. He was invited to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with fellow Sharks, but when talk turned to American wines, Kevin jumped at the chance to see the president’s collection. As a thank-you gift, he sent a case of O’Leary Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon—the same wines he sells on QVC. “I’m very proud of that.”

Kevin’s reserve wines include Rosé, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah. He carefully and specifically described each, sharing his extensive knowledge.

“Most people don’t know that Rosé is a blend of three varietals. I tweak the flavors ever so gently. Serve Rosé when guests first arrive instead of beer. It’s a celebratory wine that’s light and friendly. The pink hue is fantastic.” If you’re looking for a gift, Kevin says this wine is it.

His Chardonnay is a blend of 95% Chardonnay, 3% Riesling, and 2% Sauvignon blanc. “Chardonnay is the most popular wine in America. The weather in California is better for growing Chardonnay than in France. But you tell that to the French, and you’ll have a riot. It’s an apple-y, vanilla, pie-crust flavor. When host David Venable tried it he said it was amazing, and it is.”

Kevin insists you’ll taste his Merlot and think this just-over-$10 bottle is worth at least $60. “Merlot is tricky to blend. It has a spicy aroma with layers of complexity and a mocha finish that’s hard to get.” Kevin praises his Merlot’s spicy aroma with its hint of blackberry and recommends it as a staple for any meal.

“Syrah has a pepper to it. I blend 98% Syrah with 2% Viognier. The Viognier (a white wine grape variety) brings a dark chocolate flavor. Just a hint does it. I think this will be immensely popular.” Kevin recommends Syrah with roast beef and even turkey. But there’s another reason he’s sure QVC viewers will enjoy the Syrah (and all his wines): his wife, Linda. “My wife is an especially good wine taster—like a sommelier. If she likes it, I know we have a winner.”

Clearly, wine is Kevin’s favorite subject. He has five wine cellars around the world, the most expensive bottle he owns is $5,000, and he’s a member of an exclusive Burgundian wine group. “I make time for this. Business is binary; it’s science and numbers. And then you step into the wine world and it’s beautiful and chaotic.”

Every day when the stock market closes at 4pm, Kevin pours himself glass of O’Leary Chardonnay. Then he decides which red he’ll enjoy with dinner. Lately it’s been Syrah. “The peppery zing is really good with chicken.”

After seven years as a wine maker and nearly five decades as a wine taster, Kevin is looking forward to an even brighter future. “That’s why wine has been around for so long. You can always make it better.” 

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