Dave Matthews Introduces Line of Wines: The Dreaming Tree

Dreaming Tree

Steve Reeder (left) and Dave Matthews have teamed up to create three wines

It's a different kind of crush for Dave Matthews. He may not want you to drink the water, but the musician has collaborated with award-winning winemaker Steve Reeder to create a line of vino they're calling Dreaming Tree Wines, after the Dave Matthews Band track "The Dreaming Tree" from the 1998 album "Before These Crowded Streets." (Ben & Jerry's had already claimed "One Sweet World/Whirled." Ice cream and wine aren't a good mix. But, we digress.)

The wines portfolio, founded and harvested in California's wine country, includes the 2010 Central Coast Chardonnay, 2009 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon and 2009 North Coast Crush red (Merlot and Zinfandel) blend, available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $14.99. The collection of wines was developed in partnership with Constellation Wines U.S.

"I just want to invite people in and there's something about Steve that has that same quality," Matthews said. "There's a mutual respect that doesn't entirely lean on my knowledge of wine or Steve's knowledge of music -- we both have our own audiences and that's an interesting challenge."

"Dave and I wanted to make wines that are complex yet approachable -- fun wines that are food friendly and available for anyone to enjoy," said Reeder, adding that the libations have "serious soul."

The "environmentally conscious" product includes wine bottles that are 50 percent lighter than average, closures from sustainably grown cork and labels made with 100% recycled kraft brown paper sealed with an eco-friendly sealant.

Matthews is not the first musician to launch a wine collection. Past groups that lent their names to wines include the Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, KISS, Motorhead, Whitesnake, Warrant and, most recently, AC/DC. Madonna and Barbra Streisand have also dabbled in the wine business.

But the question is, how do Matthews' wines pair with alligator pie, cornbread and big-eyed fish?