Lil Jon Drinks to New Wine Label

Rapper launches Little Jonathan Winery, wanting the name to reflect an "upscale" brand of varietals

By Natalie Finn Apr 04, 2008 3:59 AMTags

Lil Jon is popping his cork in Francis Ford Coppola territory. 

Meaning, the Crunk Juice rapper is going into the California wine business. He has launched his own label featuring an assortment of varietals that will reflect his personal taste, which includes chardonnay, merlot and dessert wines. 

The 36-year-old Atlanta native is really going above and beyond for the occasion as well—to make the brand "a bit more upscale," he's gone with the name Little Jonathan Winery, which will be produced by winemaker Alison Crowe. 

"My full name is Jonathan," Jon, whose last name is Smith, told the Associated Press Thursday. "The wine is more nature—I wanted to not just have a direct connection, but make it just a little bit more upscale than regular 'Lil Jon.'" 

He wouldn't call himself a connoisseur, though. Rather, he's more of an appreciator. 

"I'm not no 'drink wine every day' kind of dude," Jon said. "I'm not like an expert, so don't ask me no questions…I just like the taste." 

The idea to take his palate public admittedly "kind of came out of nowhere," he said. "We were just going to do some private label stuff [for parties] and we did it, and people was like, 'Hey, it's pretty nice.'" 

Jon is also responsible for the pomegranate-flavored Crunk!!! herbal energy drink, which is largely available in the South and the Florida panhandle, a handful of Midwest states and California. 

But while Crunk!!! is "bold pride, ridiculous parties and endless energy," according to the beverage's website, Little Jonathan Winery is "not no ghetto Boone's Farm," Jon said. 

"This is real wine."