‘Gin & Juice’ is out, red wine and nostalgia are in (at least that’s what Snoop tells us).
Let’s take a journey back to 1996. Dolly the sheep was cloned, Mission: Impossible was in theatres (and technically still is), silk co-ords were all the rage and, most importantly, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur joined forces for the definitive West Coast anthem, ‘2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted’.
Fast-forward three decades and Snoop isn't just looking back at the charts – he’s looking into the cellar. In a new addition to his collection of collaborative drops for 19 Crimes, an Australian wine brand by Treasury Wine Estates, Snoop has unveiled a limited-edition red blend. The 19 Crimes Kingz of Cali is dedicated to the memory of his close friend and creative partner, the late and legendary Tupac.
The bottle itself is a piece of history, featuring a label that pays homage to the duo’s iconic appearance at the 1996 MTV VMAs, which would be Tupac’s final public appearance before his passing a few days later. But the real heart of the release lies in a handwritten tribute Snoop penned specifically for the back of the bottle.
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Bottling ’96
For Snoop, finessing this wine and the tribute that accompanies it wouldn’t have been possible without reflecting on the recording session that bore the duo’s first collaborative single (a second collab, ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, was released posthumously). “When I sat down to write those words, I was thinking about the energy in the room with Pac,” Snoop tells Dan’s Daily. “It was focused and intentional. We knew we had something special, but mostly it was just two artists pushing each other to go harder and capture the moment.”
“Pac had a way of making you dig deeper,” Snoop reflects. “He didn’t play it safe, and being around that pushes you to be more honest in your own work. That stayed with me.”
Snoop’s involvement in the wine world may come as a surprise to some, but it stacks up: he’s the author of three successful cookbooks, including New York Times Bestseller From Crook to Cook, turned an NFT into an IRL ice cream brand, and he is besties with Martha Stewart, with whom he hosted a televised cooking show.
So, while Snoop has developed drops in the past (his Cali Red in particular has a passionate fanbase), this release feels eminently personal. With 2026 marking the 30th anniversary of his and Tupac’s track, the timing felt right to bring something special to the table.
“Thirty years is a big milestone,” says Snoop. “That record still means a lot to people, and it represents a moment in time for hip-hop. It felt right to recognise that and celebrate properly.”
For Snoop, it’s all about having the perfect wine to “pour one out” – a ritual synonymous with hip-hop culture and remembrance. "For me, it’s about respect," he explains. "It’s taking a moment to remember people who meant something to you and acknowledging the impact they had on your life."
Pour like a king
The Kingz of Cali Red Blend is shiraz-dominant, with dark fruits (think plum and blackberry flavours) that get rounded out with sweet spiced vanilla, and, in true Snoop style, smoky bacon. So, how does the D-O-Double-G recommend you enjoy a glass? You won't find a rigid set of rules here. Whether it's a “backyard barbecue with friends” or a “late-night hang”, Snoop’s advice is as laid-back as you’d expect.
“The best way to enjoy it is simple: good friends, good music, and take your time with it,” he says. “Just keep the vibe right.”
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