Living Legend Ivana Trump
Creates Enchanting Wine Trio
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM BOXER
HILE The Donald is changing the
landscape of urban America with his iconic brand of
skyscrapers, his ex-wife Ivana Trump is intent on
changing the palate of the world’s drinking pleasure.
Ivana is making a name for herself
among the cognoscenti with her Living Legend Wine Collection.
The socialite/businesswoman partnered with Chef Andrew
Caldwell to create a new line of wine.
Known throughout the world as the
History Chef, Caldwell is author of Their Last Suppers.
In South Africa he served as chef for Nelson Mandela for two
years.
"After Mandela," he said, "I think
Ivana is the nicest person I have ever met."
The premier list consists of a unique
crisp Chardonnay, a rich red Cabernet Sauvignon, and a fun Pinot
Grigio with an apple and pear bouquet.
This variety is produced by the Larson
Winery, one of the finest boutique wineries in Sonoma,
California. The wine content is rated above 90, which puts it in
the top 10 percent for wine quality.
Legends Wines are featured in high-end
establishments such as Tony’s DiNapoli in New York, the Palm
Beach Yacht Club and Charlie’s Crab in Palm Beach, and Norwood’s
Restaurant and Wine Shop in New Smyrna, Florida. For its
spectacular wine dinners, Norwood’s stocks 30,000 bottles with
1,200 labels — and Ivana Legends Wines have become a popular
choice.
Ivana introduced her brand to New York
tastemakers in October at a reception in her East Side
townhouse. She was joined by daughter Ivanka and two
sons, Eric and Donald Jr., plus songwriter
Denise Rich, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, financier
Peter Cerverinka, Paul Chapman of ABC Carpet & Home,
Nello Balaban of Nello’s, Paul Nicaj of Battery
Gardens, Gold Medalist Aja Steindler, Sirio Macchioni
of Le Cirque, Michael McCarty of Michael’s, Larry
Kaiser, Nikki Haskell, Michele Herbert, and
society chronicler Catherine Saxton.
"This summer I introduced the wine to
some friends in St. Tropez," Ivana said, "and they loved it. So
I thought with a good wine at reasonable prices we can’t go
wrong."
To make her wine available to
everyone, it is priced at $20 to $25.
At a soft launch in Florida, Ivana
decorated the tables with empty wine bottles sprouting pretty
flowers.
"The ladies loved it so much they left
the flowers and took the bottles," she said.
Ivana’s wine bottles—filled with fine
wine, not flowers—are available in shops and at