Brad Pitt: The Farmer's Life for Me
Just call him Farmer Brad.
Actor/producer/furniture-designer/father of six Brad Pitt has found a new way to spend his free time make the world that much better: He's become a world-class vintner. Or, as he describes it in the cover story of the June issue of Wine Spectator, "I'm a farmer now."
Before you go picturing the A-lister in overalls and a straw hat, you should know he's not exactly raising pigs along with his grapes. Pitt and fiancée Angelina Jolie partnered with the legendary wine-making Perrin family back in 2012. When the venture first launched, Michael Perrin made it clear that the Jolie-Pitts wanted "to ensure they are making the best Provence wines they can," noting that "they were present at the blending sessions" and involved in many of the key changes taking place at their Château Miraval in Correns (where the vino is made). Now, it seems those changes are paying off — for both the wine and for Brad.
[Related: Are Celebrity Wines Any Good?]
During an interview for the magazine, the 50-year-old star revealed just how much the process of making Côtes de Provence Rosé Miraval (which was declared the world's best rosé in 2013) has impacted him.
"I love learning about the land and which field is most suitable for which grape, the drama of September and October: Are we picking today? Where are the sugar levels? How is the acidity? Is it going to rain? It's been a schooling for me," he said. "In the off months, I enjoy cleaning the forest and walking the land."
It's more than a change of scenery for the star; however, it's a change of his state-of-mind. "It's very peaceful and the antithesis of the drive, the want, the need to get ahead indicative of life in Hollywood," he explained. "I'm instantly reminded what quiet sounds like."
But just because it's peaceful, doesn't mean Brad is resting on his laurels. In fact, it seems his desire to achieve has been kicked into high gear.
"For better or worse, given my compulsive nature, if we are going to be in the wine business, let's make the best wine we can," Pitt admitted. "I asked the question, ‘Why can't we make world-class wine in Provence?' Let's approach it like a film, and let's make something we can be proud of and people can enjoy."
Naturally, now that he literally has helped create the best rosé in the world, he's moved on to other goals. "What really interests me now are the reds," the Oscar-winner explained. "We envision a superb Provence red. A super Provence. Give us seven years." While we hate the idea of having to wait that long, we're pretty sure it will be worth it.
"There is a prevalent spirit of creativity here and it is our goal to continue in that spirit," he mused. "What comes out of it, I can't say yet, but we want to be true to that spirit."
Brad's to-do list completely blows our minds, but that doesn't change the fact that we have complete faith in him to do everything on it. And we can all raise our glasses to that.
