John Oliver Launches Cabernet Sauvignon, Donates Proceeds to California Food Banks
Comedian John Oliver debuted his own Cabernet Sauvignon wine, “Cabernet SauvignJohn,” yesterday during the latest episode of his HBO show, Last Week Tonight, with all proceeds from sales going to California food banks.
The launch followed a segment exploring the history of celebrity wine ventures, from Orson Welles to Kyle MacLachlan. Oliver noted the existence of a Canadian wine already bearing his name – named after a former British Columbia premier – but unavailable for import to the U.S. He then introduced his own Napa Valley-sourced label, describing it as having “notes of vanilla, cocoa powder, dark fruits, plum, and a hint of leather,” with “plush tannins” and a “medium-plus body.”
“This California cabernet is a great way to kick back, relax, and wind down after a long week. It’s essentially the exact opposite of this show,” Oliver joked on the broadcast. He emphasized the philanthropic nature of the project, stating, “The great news is absolutely zero proceeds will be going to my employer, because not only are we selling this at a financial loss, but from the sales, we are also donating a total of $50,000 to 16 food banks in California.” This move highlights a growing trend of celebrities using their platforms for charitable giving. Bottles are available for purchase at CabernetSauvignJohn.com while supplies last.
The wine is currently available in a limited run, and Oliver’s team confirmed they will continue to monitor sales and donation distribution in the coming weeks.
