Drinking ‘Prophet & Poet' Wines With Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel Adam Morganstern
Jessica Biel's entry into the wine world follows the same path as one her successful Hollywood ventures: have a compelling story and a great team to bring it to life. Her childhood friend is winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars , known for his consistent high scores as well as a record setting sale of one of his bottles for $1M at auction. When Biel married Justin Timberlake, Katz crafted a special vintage for the celebration and then did the same for the wedding of Biel's brother Justin and his wife Rose. Sensing they were onto something bigger they all collaborated to create the new wine brand ' Prophet & Poet ' — named after Rose's shamanic healing and energy work and Justin's poetry.
Rounding out the team are Chris & Ariel Jackson from Jackson Family Wines , who sourced the grapes from their prized Sonoma vineyards. Their first 2021 vintage is limited to 900 cases, composed of three reds and two whites. I spoke with Jessica Biel about the new brand, how she first got into wine and how she'd cast herself in her next detective series.
When did you first start enjoying wine?
My parents were not big wine drinkers so it's not something we had growing up. I really started to explore wine in my mid-20s — when I had my own money and could say what is this bottle? I can actually afford this. Let's try it. And then it was also getting to work in different places around the world.
I also met my husband (Justin Timberlake) in my mid-20s. He grew up with parents that had wine every night. And they loved big bold reds and Barolos and all these others. So I was introduced to a lot of wines through them.
Jessica Biel in Sonoma Adam Morganstern
Was there a first bottle you remember that stood out for you?
I'm not sure if it was the first - because we enjoyed a lot of wine – but the name that's coming to me right now is Tignanello. I loved that. Those bold Super Tuscans. That was the type of wine where I really started to understand what this whole thing is about. What makes people so passionate.
How did the leap from being a wine lover to having your own label come about?
Jesse Katz created a wedding wine for me almost 13 years ago as a lovely gift. Then we created some wine for my brother for his wedding. This was at Jesse's kitchen table, before his winery existed. As the wine has been maturing all these years it's just been getting better and better. Why don't we share it? Why don't we take the wine that we've been using to celebrate moments and memories with our family and let's give that to everybody.
And if it had been any other person than Jesse, I would have said no. If it had been any other non-authentic story where I wasn't involved in it from the beginning I don't think I would have done this. I'm not a winemaker but I love wine and this one is so personal to my family and is something we've been doing with Jesse for years. It was an obvious yes. We have to do this because the story is real.
What's surprised you most about the winemaking process since starting the collaboration?
The intricacy of the process, from the soil to the farmers, to the grapes to the weather. I remember talking to Jesse during the harvest and he's like 'I'm going to leave the grapes on for another few hours.' I'm thinking another few hours ? Does that really make a difference? And he's like 'yes!' When to pull them off the vine, what to blend, tasting — the process is truly art. I didn't fully understand what Jesse does until I got involved.
Prophet & Poet Rachid Dahnoun
When you first created the wedding wine was there any direction you gave to Jesse about what you wanted?
We wanted something red, beautiful and bold. And we were getting married in Puglia so it would make sense to have that kind of wine. Interestingly enough — we didn't actually drink that wine at our wedding because it was too hard to bring it over. But we've enjoyed that wine at so many other moments in our life.
Do you enjoy spirits and cocktails as well?
I like tequila. And I also really like a Vesper martini. I'm a vodka martini straight-up-with-a-twist kind of person. I don't like it dirty.
Have you ever had a drink with one of your idols?
I've had a few cool experiences having a glass of wine and a meal with Jane Fonda. I met her years ago at an amazing event her organization does annually for reproductive rights for teenagers in Georgia. And we have stayed friends and we talk and text and email. It's so cool. I saw her after an event one year and asked her how she has stayed looking so beautiful and fit and so healthy and vibrant. What is the secret? And she said 'posture!' And all of us at the table stood up so much straighter.
(L to R) Chris Jackson, Jesse Katz, Rose Biel, Jessica Biel, Ariel Jackson Rachid Dahnoun
You're co-starring in a new series with Elizabeth Banks called 'The Better Sister.' She also has her own wine label. Did she give you any advice?
I didn't even know that for a long time. She does so many things. I wouldn't be surprised if she has ten other companies I don't know about. She's not the kind of person who makes a big deal about what she's got going on in her life. It just kind of shows up all of sudden and you're like 'wait, that's yours?'
We did get to have a drink together a couple of times. She's amazing. What you see is what you get with her. She's funny. She's so smart. And she's just lovely. We had this natural sister-level comfort about us right away.
You produced and starred in another series called 'The Sinner.' How did that come to life?
It's based on a German book. My producing partner brought it to me and we fell for it right away. We thought 'this is pushing a lot of boundaries and is not anything we've seen on television.' And it was material I had never had the opportunity to do. 'I'm scared of it, but this one's mine. And I'm going to hang onto it real tight.'
Did you see Bill Pullman in the detective role right away?
He was on the top of our list because he felt unexpected. The character has a lot of darkness and intricacies and in real life he's so sweet, lovable and charming.
Would you ever want to act with your husband in a mystery?
Yes. I'd like to be the murderer this time though.
What role would he play?
He should be the detective. He should want to find me.
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