HERE IN SPIRIT(S): ELVIS-INSPIRED WINES MAKING A SPLASH
Cox News Service

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Here's a wine to get all shook up over: It's the Elvis Presley wines produced by Graceland Cellars. The first vintages of Elvis Presley vinos were released last fall and sales have been extremely strong.

"We launched Graceland Cellars as a tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll," said Scott Cahill, president of Graceland Cellars' parent, Signature wines. The winery is in Hayward, Calif., a northern coastal area. "But while the soul of our company is in Memphis, our products are firmly planted in innovative California winemaking."

Getting Elvis Presley Enterprises to allow them to use the trademark took time and assurance of a quality product, he said. "We couldn't ask for a better partner than Elvis Presley Enterprises. People feel a real connection to Elvis and that opens the doors to our wines. The quality in the bottle is what brings them back."

Graceland Cellars is releasing 20,000 cases of the wines this year; area buyers can expect to see them in retail shops within the next month. Blue Suede Chardonnay, Jailhouse Red Merlot, and The King Cabernet Sauvignon will have a suggested retail price of $12 a bottle.

"Wine and celebrations go hand-in-hand," Cahill said, "What could be more fun than bringing Elvis to a dinner party?"