Actor Dan Aykroyd pours $1M into Ontario wines
TORONTO — Dan Aykroyd has gone from busting ghosts and singing the blues to promoting Canadian wines.The comedy star announced Tuesday that he’s invested $1 million into a group of Ontario wineries and wants to promote the country’s vintages abroad.
“Everywhere you go in the United States, you see Argentinian, Chilean wine, Australian wine, but you don’t see the Canadian wines on the shelves, and I’d like to try to change that because we have some really worthy, beautiful (wines),” the Ottawa-born actor said in a speech to reporters before excusing himself to go to the bathroom.
“Everything in moderation. I did have three glasses,” the 53-year-old exclaimed after re-entering the room, where a table of wines and spirits was set up.
Aykroyd said he makes investments “very carefully” and spent the summer researching the industry before writing the cheque for Niagara Cellars Inc., which owns several wineries in the Niagara Peninsula including Lakeview Estates, Birchwood Estates, Thomas & Vaughan and EastDell Estates, as well as Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits.
“I’m not really a capitalist — I’m a fan of capitalism, I’m an entertainer,” said Aykroyd, wearing a suit and tie. “So I’m actively looking now to shift out of United States equities, and I’m looking to invest and do something in my home country.” more…
