When hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg entered the wine world, he brought his West Coast style to the industry through a collaboration with Australian wine brand 19 Crimes. This partnership created a line of Snoop Dogg red wine products that have generated genuine buzz in both music and wine circles. If you’re curious about what happens when legendary rap meets viticulture, this guide will uncork everything you need to know about Snoop’s California-inspired wine collection.
The Snoop Dogg x 19 Crimes Cali Red wine collaboration represents a groundbreaking venture that successfully merges celebrity influence with accessible winemaking, expanding wine culture’s appeal to younger, diverse audiences while reinforcing Snoop’s brand authenticity. This partnership marked 19 Crimes’ first California wine, shifting the Australian brand beyond its traditional roots into the West Coast wine scene.
Launched in 2020, Snoop Cali Red blends Petite Sirah (65%), Zinfandel (30%), and Merlot (5%) from California’s Lodi region, delivering a fruit-forward profile with notes of blackberry, cherry, and vanilla wrapped in a medium-to-full body with approachable tannins. The wine has achieved remarkable commercial success, driving a 40% increase in 19 Crimes sales during its launch year and earning positive reviews for its value at the $12-15 price point.
What makes this collaboration truly special is its authentic connection to Snoop’s West Coast identity. The iconic bottle features Snoop’s image enhanced with augmented reality technology—scan it with the Living Wine Labels app and watch as Snoop comes to life to share his story. This innovative approach has helped democratize wine culture, making it more approachable to consumers outside traditional wine demographics.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Snoop Dogg’s red wine venture—from its creation story and flavor profile to food pairings and cultural impact—revealing why this celebrity wine stands out in a crowded market.
Understanding the Buzz: What is Snoop Dogg Red Wine?
Snoop Dogg’s venture into wine isn’t just another celebrity endorsement – it represents a true partnership between the legendary rapper and 19 Crimes, an innovative Australian wine brand known for its rebellious spirit. The collaboration centers primarily around the Snoop Dogg Cali Red, a robust California red blend that embodies Snoop’s West Coast roots.
This partnership marks a significant shift for 19 Crimes, as their Snoop-branded offerings represent the brand’s first venture into California wines after building their reputation on Australian varieties. The result is a wine that appeals to both enthusiasts and newcomers drawn in by the hip-hop connection.
Introducing Snoop Cali Red: The Flagship Collaboration
Snoop Cali Red launched in 2020 as 19 Crimes’ first California wine. This wasn’t just another celebrity product; it represented a significant pivot for 19 Crimes beyond their Australian roots. The bold red blend quickly became a fan favorite, with its accessible flavor profile and unmistakable bottle featuring Snoop’s image.
The Collaboration Story
The partnership between Snoop Dogg and 19 Crimes emerged naturally between two brands sharing values of authenticity and breaking boundaries. Treasury Wine Estates, 19 Crimes’ parent company, recognized Snoop’s genuine connection to California culture and his cross-demographic appeal. For Snoop, the collaboration expanded his business portfolio while staying true to his West Coast identity, resulting in a wine that captures California’s vibe with 19 Crimes’ bold character.
Decoding the Blend: The Making of Snoop Cali Red
The distinctive character of Snoop Cali Red comes from its carefully selected grape composition and California origins that appeal to both wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers.
Grape Composition
Snoop Cali Red brings together three varieties that deliver big flavor with approachable appeal:
- Petite Sirah (65%): Forms the backbone, contributing intense color, rich dark fruit flavors, and substantial tannins
- Zinfandel (30%): Adds characteristic California character with jammy fruit notes, spice, and a hint of sweetness
- Merlot (5%): Rounds out the blend with softness, adding cherry notes and smoothing any rough edges
California Origins & Winemaking Approach
True to its name, Cali Red sources its grapes primarily from California’s Lodi region, an area known for producing fruit-forward, full-bodied red wines. The Mediterranean-like climate helps develop intense flavor in the grapes while maintaining balance.
The winemaking emphasizes accessibility and immediate enjoyment rather than aging potential. The wine sees moderate oak influence, which contributes vanilla, spice, and smoky notes without overwhelming the fruit character, resulting in a wine that’s ready to drink upon release.
Tasting Notes Unveiled: What to Expect in Your Glass
When you pour a glass of Snoop Dogg’s red wine, you’ll notice its deep ruby color with purple highlights – a visual hint at the rich experience to follow.
Aroma & Flavor Profile
The initial aroma reveals ripe blackberries and dark cherries, followed by layers of vanilla, mocha, and subtle oak-influenced notes of smoke and toast. There’s a hint of baking spice that adds complexity without dominating.
On the palate, that fruit-forward approach continues with concentrated flavors of blackberry jam, black cherry, and plum. The oak influence contributes vanilla sweetness and a touch of chocolate, while subtle notes of black pepper and spice add dimension. The overall impression is rich and full-flavored without being overly complex – a crowd-pleasing profile that delivers satisfaction without requiring wine expertise to appreciate.
Texture, Mouthfeel & Finish
Snoop Cali Red offers a medium-to-full body with a smooth, almost velvety texture. The tannins are present but approachable – enough to provide structure without astringency. There’s moderate acidity that keeps the wine from feeling heavy despite its richness.
The finish is moderately long with lingering notes of dark fruit, vanilla, and a hint of spice. At 14.1% alcohol by volume, there’s some warmth to the finish, but it’s well-integrated and doesn’t detract from the overall experience, making the wine versatile for various occasions.
Reviews & Reception: How is Snoop Cali Red Received?
Since its release, Snoop Cali Red has generated significant buzz across both wine circles and popular culture.
Expert & Consumer Feedback
Professional wine critics position Snoop Cali Red as an approachable, crowd-pleasing wine rather than a complex connoisseur’s choice. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 87 points, noting its “jammy, accessible character” and “smooth, easy-drinking nature.” Most reviewers highlight its value proposition at its approximately $12-15 price point.
Consumer reception has been notably positive, with Vivino users rating it an average of 4.0 out of 5 stars across thousands of reviews. Many praise its approachability, with comments often mentioning how it appeals to both seasoned wine drinkers and newcomers. Common descriptors include “smooth,” “easy to drink,” and “great value.”
The consensus positions Snoop Cali Red as excelling at exactly what it aims to be: an accessible, enjoyable red blend that delivers good value. Its commercial success – becoming one of 19 Crimes’ best-selling products – confirms that the wine has found its audience, genuinely delivering on its promise rather than merely trading on celebrity association.
Pairing and Serving: Getting the Best Experience
To fully appreciate Snoop Dogg’s red wine, a few practical serving tips and food pairing suggestions can elevate your experience.
Food Pairings & Serving Suggestions
The bold, fruit-forward character of Snoop Cali Red makes it versatile for pairing with a wide range of foods. It particularly shines alongside:
- Grilled and smoked meats like barbecued ribs or brisket
- Burgers and comfort foods
- Hearty pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces
- Pizza with meat toppings
- Mexican cuisine that can benefit from the wine’s fruit-forward profile
For optimal enjoyment, serve Snoop Cali Red slightly below room temperature – about 60-65°F (15-18°C). While the wine doesn’t require decanting, allowing it to breathe for 15-30 minutes after opening can help its flavors open up more fully.
Branding and Cultural Impact
Beyond what’s in the bottle, Snoop Dogg’s wine collaboration represents something significant in both wine culture and celebrity branding.
The Iconic Label & Market Performance
The Snoop Cali Red label features a black and white image of Snoop Dogg set against a stark black background, continuing 19 Crimes’ tradition of featuring figures on their labels. Like other 19 Crimes wines, the label incorporates augmented reality technology – download the Living Wine Labels app, scan the bottle, and watch as Snoop himself comes to life to share his story.
From a market perspective, the collaboration has been remarkably successful. Treasury Wine Estates reported that the Snoop Dogg partnership helped drive a 40% increase in sales volume for 19 Crimes in its launch year. Industry analysts note how the collaboration successfully brought new, younger consumers into the wine category.
Perhaps most significantly, Snoop’s wine venture has helped democratize wine culture by making it more approachable and less intimidating, breaking down barriers between high-end wine culture and everyday enjoyment.
Quick Facts: Your Snoop Dogg Wine Questions Answered
Snoop Cali Red falls on the slightly sweeter side of dry. While technically classified as dry, its fruit-forward nature and hints of vanilla from oak aging create a perception of sweetness that appeals to those who typically find red wines too austere.
The Snoop Dogg wine collection includes the original Cali Red, Cali Rosé (a fruit-forward pink wine), Cali Gold (a sparkling wine), and limited edition releases like Cali Blanco (a Sauvignon Blanc blend).
Absolutely. Snoop Cali Red is practically designed with wine beginners in mind. Its smooth texture, approachable fruit flavors, and soft tannins make it an excellent gateway wine for those new to red blends or wine in general, while still offering enough complexity to satisfy more experienced palates.
Conclusion
Snoop Dogg’s red wine succeeds by delivering on its promise – an accessible, enjoyable wine with legitimate California credentials and genuine connection to Snoop’s West Coast identity. Whether you’re a dedicated wine enthusiast or simply curious about the rap legend’s venture into viticulture, Cali Red offers an approachable entry point into wine culture without pretension.
Beyond the bottle, this collaboration represents the continuing democratization of wine culture. Just as Snoop has successfully navigated between music, entertainment, and business throughout his career, his wine venture bridges the gap between celebrity branding and legitimate wine production, resulting in something refreshingly authentic in the celebrity product landscape – a wine worth trying not just because of the name on the label, but because of what’s in the bottle.
Fabiola Tanis is the founder and CEO of SnoopDoggShop.com, the premier online destination for authentic Snoop Dogg merchandise, apparel, footwear, wine, and collectibles. With over 12 years of experience in e-commerce and retail brand management, Fabiola has developed the expertise and vision necessary to create a trusted platform for fans seeking genuine products that celebrate Snoop Dogg’s enduring cultural impact.