Daniel Ricciardo on the grid with Justin Hemmes for new wine venture
Daniel Ricciardo has his eyes on a different prize after his Formula 1 career ends.
While the chief of optimism at Optus could be striving for podium finishes with Red Bull next year, he is now looking ahead to other opportunities, including in wine.
The Red Bull-owned Scuderia AlphaTauri driver has not only formed a partnership with billionaire hospitality icon Justin Hemmes, but he has also established his own wine label, St Hugo Ric Red, which Hemmes is promoting.
Ric Red’s description looks to be aligned with Ricciardo’s personality and is described as "inspired by genuine, honest, in-the-moment good times, with good food, good music, and great friends".
The wine itself is described as "plush, opulent and generous, an Australian modern masterpiece of open and inviting fruit with a little hint of something more".
The Ric Red range is available at select Merivale restaurants.
Ricciardo and Hemmes were spotted at Totti's Bondi on December 7 to celebrate their new partnership.
“It's definitely a nice little creative outlet for me,” Ricciardo told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I love racing – it's obviously my first passion – but I don't want to be consumed by it every hour of every day. I always look to have a few little positive distractions in my life. Being creative is part of what keeps me going.”
Ricciardo has previously released a shoe-shaped wine decanter in partnership with the St Hugo wine brand and has a long family history with wine, with his grandparents making their own.
“This is something that's put a smile on my dad's face because he grew up interested and passionate about wine,' Ricciardo told the SMH.
“His parents made wine in their garage, but I used to call that vinegar.
“Look, I'm new to this, and I don't expect to know everything, but they've allowed me to chase the experience I'm after.
“We're making sure that no one is calling it vinegar.”
Jonathan Jackson, 11th December 2023
