Martina McBride Uncorks a New Venture

Here's a toast to renaissance woman Martina McBride! The singer has partnered with Blackbird Vineyards of Napa Valley, Calif., to create a "Signature Series" wine. Each bottle will be stamped with McBride's autograph, and is being offered exclusively to members of her fan community (who are of legal drinking age, of course).

"I've been able to taste incredible wines while traveling the world on tour," says McBride. "I sampled Blackbird Vineyards' wines while on a trip to Napa Valley and loved them."

Michael Polenske, Proprietor of Blackbird Vineyards, says it's fitting that McBride chose to work with them, since Martina and husband John are the owners of the Blackbird recording studio in Nashville.

"I have always been a fan of Martina's work and it's an honor to collaborate with her on the creation of her first signature wine," says Polenske.

According to an official press release, the 2006 Martina McBride Signature Series Proprietary Red Wine, retailing for $60 per 750ml bottle, "reveals luscious aromas of wild raspberries, black cherry, cassis, and smoky cedar. On the palate, jammy fruit flavors blend with cocoa and forest floor notes. This multi-layered wine provides great texture and volume, displaying tight-grained tannins and a medium-long finish."

And here's something else to toast -- Martina McBride released her 10th CD, 'Shine,' on March 24. It made its debut at No. 1 on the country album charts.