Cheers with wine glasses of couple in a beautiful sunset and lens flare on beach background

We now know, down to the second, when, where, and for how long a total solar eclipse will occur hundreds of years into the future. How ancient people—including those who saw the first recorded such event on November 30, 3340 BC, in Ireland—would have reacted is unknown, but it’s likely that they behaved like many eclipse chasers still do today and had a stiff drink.

“Wine may have been used as much to numb the populace from fear that the world was about to end, as it was to appease the unhappy heavenly powers,” said Joseph Daniel, an eclipse chaser and winemaker at Tiny Vineyards Wine Company in Sonoma, California, who has produced a commemorative $40 “Eclipse Malbec” for April’s 8 return to North America of the moon’s central shadow. “But that doesn’t mean a little salute to those solar deities of mythology isn’t a wise move.”

Daniel—a veteran of five total solar eclipses—isn’t the only one trying to tap into the market for commemorative bottles of wine, either to drink while watching the eclipse or to buy as a keepsake.

The owner of Tiny Vineyards Wine Company in Sonoma, California, with an avid interest in eclipses, has crafted a $40 “Eclipse Malbec” to celebrate the total solar eclipse on April 8.

Vineyards across Texas, New York, Ontario, and Canada are planning numerous events, with many featuring eclipse-themed wine bottles. For instance, Pillar Bluff Vineyards in Lampasas, Texas, is organizing an event priced at $500, which includes a bottle of “Cabernet Sauvignon Total Eclipse” wine, a BBQ dinner, and space for your RV. Similarly, William Chris Vineyards is hosting an equivalent event for $375 in Hye, Texas, featuring country music and “Eclipse” wine.

About 1,500 miles north, Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake, New York, located just outside the southern limit of the path of totality, is selling “Eclipse Red,” “Eclipse White,” and “Eclipse Rosé” for $18.50 each. Further in northeast Ohio, Ferrante Winery, which lies directly on the path of totality, is selling its unique “Eclipse” table wine for $20.24. The winery is part of a dozen vineyards in the region participating in the special “Total Eclipse Wine Trail” event, priced at $70 from April 5-7. Attendees will find intriguing items such as “Corona Chicken Sliders,” “Moonshine-Roasted Mushrooms,” and “Total Eclipse of the Cheesecake Tart” on their journey.

In recent times, total solar eclipses worldwide have sparked a trend of specially crafted wines and spirits, including eclipse-themed Pisco in Chile and Malbec in Argentina. Daniel, inspired by the latter and planning to be in Texas this April, crafted a wine for the forthcoming eclipse. “I saw the enthusiasm for wines made for the ‘Great American Eclipse’ in 2017, especially in Oregon, and the 2019 eclipse in Argentina and Chile, which inspired me to create a unique wine for the upcoming event,” he said.

Daniel witnessed 2019’s total solar eclipse close to Mendoza, the epicenter of Malbec, where he spent time visiting several of the top wineries. His own version of the “black wine” is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. What catches the eye immediately is the label—a beautiful composite image of an actual total solar eclipse, as shot by Daniel from Bella Vista, Argentina. “It was a crazy scene with loud tango music and venders selling asado—Argentine barbecue—and cups of wine,” he said.

Having a bottle of wine to commemorate a solar eclipse will, to many prospective observers, seem crazy. Isn’t that something you do at your own wedding? What’s to commemorate? The 42 million-plus who live within—or travel to—the 115 miles wide path of totality on April 8 will find out when they experience a moment they will want to remember for the rest of their life.

Clear skies allowing, of course.

For the latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my page for new articles daily.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.