Sarah Jessica Parker Creates An Award-Winning Wine During The Pandemic

In 1666, as the bubonic plague ravaged much of the world and began to reach London, Isaac Newton studied at the University of Cambridge and fled to his family’s countryside estate to isolate himself from the throngs of the virus. It was there, in his isolation for 18 months, that he had what is now known as his annus mirabilis, or “wonder year” where he made the discovery and theory of gravity as he made sense of an apple falling from the tree and had the luxury of time to reflect. An iota of the greatness the Renaissance would bring to humanity after the loss and tragedy the plague brought to much of the world.

History shows us that cataclysmic crises can bring deep social and cultural change. As Covid-19 has been felt around the world, devastating and halting life as we have known it in some of the world’s most iconic cities from Milano to New York City. A stillness was forced in these bustling places, stringent lockdowns were followed and the world, for the first time in a long time, felt quiet.

And in a corner of New York City and in the expanse of Te Kauwhata, New Zealand, Sarah Jessica Parker and Co-founders of Invivo, Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron for the first time, virtually created a wine. “We had no choice!!” says Sarah Jessica Parker about blending wine during these unprecedented times. “I have had to do three virtual blendings. The first round I was sincerely dubious that I could do so with confidence of the outcome,” says Parker as she films her latest series And Just Like That… the Sex and the City revival series slated to air on HBOmax.

The decision to create the Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc virtually preceded the tremendous success of the Invivo X, SJP Rosé, which was also tasted and blended virtually with great success. The wine has won Gold Medals during a blind taste test and earned the Europe Rosé trophy at the 2021 New York International Wine Competition. 

Enlightened writer Giovanni Boccaccio wrote in the Decameron about 10 friend’s very different perspectives on how to affront the bubonic plague as they isolated together, entertaining one another in a villa outside of Florence; a city that was devastated by the Black Death. Boccaccio wrote that some people believed that “the surest medicine for such an evil disease was to drink [heavily], enjoy life’s pleasures and go about singing and having fun,” perhaps since there was nothing but the present to count on and the veracity of the Black Death was so unknown the only promised thing was enjoyment and a glass of the grape. Although today we have much more scientific awareness of how to deal with Covid-19, via distancing and vaccinations, we have finally been able to gather with loved ones and share in popping open a bottle of wine al fresco. There is something decidedly more meaningful in the simple things that perhaps previously we took for granted. The act of sharing a bottle of wine with friends, now, is more beautiful than ever.  

“We hope our wines are able to enlighten all of the senses. When I think of New Yorkers and our customers all around the world drinking our wines, I hope they are enjoying every part of the experience, from smell and taste to enjoying with a meal or sharing with friends. It means so much to us that our customers have chosen a bottle of Invivo X, SJP for their dinner parties or celebrations.” says Parker.

The flavor of the Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc is “slightly bigger and rounder than a typical Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. We work with the skins and bring in some oak, and it has some real texture which is important to us” says Cameron who helped to create this wine, virtually.

“We know Sarah Jessica is so passionate about the process. Working together virtually is definitely not the same as in-person, however, we manage it by couriering over the same samples and taste then blend together virtually, we have a great time,” says Lightbourne.

While the Invivo X, SJP Rosé has the flavor of fresh wild strawberries, that transport someone drinking the glass to the French countryside in a period in which travel is hard to do. “With our French Rosé, it’s dry but has such a fragrant nose and a subtle taste of wild strawberries. I wondered if people would almost believe it’s real because of its strawberry notes,” explains SJP about her award-winning Rosé.

“The wine really has her handprint on it, and we love that. Sarah Jessica has developed a style of Sauvignon Blanc that is soft with a subtle oak influence,” says Cameron. A wine that has flavors of ripe citrus and tropical fruits that are typical of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but the Invivo X by SJP also has a hint of something savory, “it offers something different to the breadth of Sauvignon Blancs available,” explains Cameron.

Parker says,“Being in a room with Rob in previous blendings is not only really fun but informative, hugely helpful and it just gives me more courage and confidence that we are both aligned. But that just wasn’t an option. But we got there and we love the blend and I think we have really sorted out how to be apart, yet together, as the world struggles for health.”

In the wake of the Covid pandemic, the lack of access to food globally has grown dramatically. “Hunger is not defined by gender, race or education and has soared across the globe exponentially in the wake of the Covid pandemic. It is especially heartbreaking so many children are affected,” says Parker who has advocated for vulnerable children with her work with UNICEF since 1997, and the Food Bank for New York City. Invivo X, SJP has partnered with FEED to help combat hunger among children by donating school meals to FEED who work with the UN Food Programme in 63 countries.

As the world began to open up a bit in recent months after over a year of stringent lockdowns and restrictions, the reassuring sounds of glasses clinking in outdoor restaurants, the sound of laughter from the streets has returned. Giving us all a taste of much-needed community and normalcy.

Sarah Jessica Parker is one of New York City’s most iconic actors and entrepreneurs and arguably a cultural ambassador of the city. Viewers around the world got to know Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, who she brought to life showing the reality, artistry, creativity and excitement of life in the city making people dream of carving out a creative life for themselves. Parker tells me she is now feeling that upward shift in positive change.

Perhaps, this rare moment will bring the beginning of a Renaissance in New York City and globally, “I’m enormously hopeful. I tend to be rather optimistic in general but there was a period about seven months ago or perhaps more, where I felt very concerned and not particularly bullish about our city’s future.” 

But now, “having witnessed the reopening of many of our cultural institutions, watching restaurants reinvent themselves and create their own unique outdoor spaces, witnessing communities finding ways to support local businesses, seeing art emerge and surface in a variety of inspired ways I feel not only the promise of our city’s future, but extremely excited about the work this challenging period is now and will be producing.” There is no hiding, we humans are a resilient bunch, even in the quiet of our homes, as the world raged and uncertainty loomed, we can create beautiful and meaningful things. Cheers to that.