Dan Aykroyd on Producing Vodka

Last week, our Executive Editor Shelley Boettcher asked Claire and I if we would be interested in interviewing Dan Aykroyd about his wines and spirits. Naturally, we said yes.

And after a few emails to publicists, we found ourselves driving over to the Fairmont Palliser Hotel this morning to meet Mr. Aykroyd in The Oak Room. He didn't disappoint.

Dan Aykroyd spoke with humour, enthusiasm and knowledge about his wines and spirits, and the industry in general. Mr. Aykroyd is a partner in Diamond Estates, which imports Patrón, the famous tequila, into Canada. In 2008, he began to offer vodka through his company, Crystal Head Vodka. In 2006, he entered into a partnership with Niagara Cellars to produce a series of reds and whites under his name.

Dan Aykroyd is in Calgary as part of a tour to promote Crystal Head vodka. After Calgary, he heads to Kelowna and Vancouver, BC. He will be signing bottles at the following locations this week.

• Saturday, September 18th: Midtown Co-op Liquor Store, 1110 – 11th Avenue SW, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday September 22nd: Orchard Park Signature Liquor Store, 1835 Dilworth Drive, Kelowna, BC, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thursday September 23rd: BCLDB, 768 Bute Street, Vancouver, BC, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday September 24th: BCLDB, 3433 North Road @ Cameron Street, Vancouver, BC, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Here is the first of two videos that we shot with Aykroyd in which he discusses producing vodka.

After you've finished this video, watch Dan Aykroyd talk about Dan Aykroyd Wines and the Niagara region.