Famous Actor Visits Stew Leonard's Wine Store In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Celebrated actor Chazz Palminteri, famous for starring roles in beloved films such as "A Bronx Tale" and "The Usual Suspects," stopped by Stew Leonard's Wines & Spirits in Norwalk for a bottle signing event and photo opportunity late Friday afternoon.

The event served as a promotion for Palminteri's Chazz Cabernet Sauvignon wine, a "complex California cab [that] boasts a bouquet of blackberries, cassis and subtle notes of cedar and vanilla," according to additional press materials provided by Stew Leonard's.

During the event, customers enjoyed samples of Chazz Cabernet, as well as a selection of Italian cheeses and Italian music.

Mayor Harry Rilling also stopped by the event and took part in a group photo with Palminteri and the entire team at the Norwalk store, located at 55 Westport Avenue.

According to Stew Leonard's Spokesperson Meghan Bell, the store's wine specialists have a great relationship with Palminteri, who has visited other Stew Leonard's wine stores in the past.

"Everyone from our team members to our customers raves about what a nice guy he is," Bell said to Patch, "plus the wine is delicious. Chazz is working with a great winemaker in California who has made wine for [over] 40 years."

Customers who attended Friday's event were able to pre-purchase event packages featuring pre-signed bottles of Palminteri's wine. They also posed for photos with the acclaimed actor.

Palminteri is not the first celebrity to set foot in the Norwalk store. "Breaking Bad" and "Malcolm in the Middle" star Bryan Cranston visited the store in 2021 to sign bottles of his Dos Hombres brand of mezcal.

Cranston then returned to the store the following year with his "Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul to sign more bottles of Dos Hombres.

Bell also teased an upcoming event at the store featuring "America's Next Top Model" star and world-renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker, who will promote his new ready-to-drink espresso martini in Norwalk this May.

"Customers love in-store events where they get to sample a product and meet a celebrity, but Stew's Wines in Norwalk plans hundreds of in-store events every year," Bell said. "From rare bottle raffles to seminars with winemakers, there's always something fun going on at the store, whether you drink wine, beer or spirits."

An actor, director, writer, producer and restaurateur, Palminteri's other film roles include "Bullets Over Broadway," "Analyze This," "Oscar" and "Once Upon a Time in Queens."

He has also appeared on notable television shows such as "Modern Family" and "Blue Bloods," and voiced animated characters in the films "Stuart Little," "Hoodwinked" and "Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure."