Simple has never been part of Avril Lavigne’s vocabulary.
When she first hit the stage in 2002, she brought skater-punk anthems and a rebellious style.
Her eyeliner, oversized ties and bold attitude gave the pop star image a fresh identity.
More than two decades later, that same spirit continues to shape her career.
This time, however, Lavigne is exploring a new world.
She has entered the world of winemaking with her first official wine, “Complicated.”
Avril uncorks her bold new venture
Lavigne unveiled her first official wine on September 16.
The Pinot Noir takes its name from her iconic debut single, “Complicated.”
The wine also connects two different chapters of Lavigne’s career.
One began with her MTV Total Request Live (TRL) appearances and punk-inspired image.
The other reflects her evolution into a lasting international music star.
For the project, Lavigne partnered with California-based Banshee Wines.
The company describes the Pinot Noir as smooth and fruity.
The wine also offers enough character to stand out.
In many ways, that combination matches Lavigne’s public image.
The 40-year-old artist told PEOPLE about her long relationship with Banshee.
“I’ve been collaborating with Banshee for the past two years, starting with my Greatest Hits Tour, where the Banshee bar became a staple backstage and at my afterparties.”
“Our partnership is so natural, and as my love for wine has grown over the years, I knew they were the brand I wanted to collaborate with to launch my first official wine.”
Lavigne also compared music with wine.
She explained that both can bring people together.
They can also encourage people to celebrate life’s highs and lows.
For Lavigne, those imperfect moments can still hold beauty.
Nostalgia meets purpose in “Complicated”
What makes this release particularly captivating is its embrace of the nostalgia from Lavigne’s early career while providing fans with something fresh and concrete.
A collector’s bundle, dubbed “Sip and Spin”, was introduced alongside the bottle.
The package includes a custom record player and a vinyl reissue of “Let Go”, her debut album in 2002.
For fans who spent their teen years screaming, “Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated?” into their hairbrushes like it’s their fifth heartbreak; a drink in hand will now be their perfect companion as reminiscing adults.
Lavigne’s intention on this venture does not solely revolve around nostalgia.
Non-profit organisation She Is The Music will receive a portion of the proceeds to help bolster its core goal of creating opportunities for talented women in the music industry.
This doubles the objective of said wine: it celebrates her beginnings while supporting the future of female creators.
A legacy bottled, a story savoured
A milestone such as releasing personal wine labels is becoming a common thing for celebrities these days, but Lavigne’s feels different.
Many point out how she came about her wine’s entire concept, which aims to make her legacy known without trying too hard by bringing balance in playfulness and purpose.
‘Complicated’ is meant to represent a new side in her evolution, just as she has reinvented her music with grace throughout the years – from punk rebel to pop mainstay to mature artist.
For the singer, this is not just about marketing her own wine but uniquely telling a story highlighting her growth and the fun memories she made along her journey as a musician.
It is also seen as a new way to connect with fans who have been supportive since the start of her career.
As the saying goes, it is the best stories that are meant to be savoured like the best wines.
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