The bonds of basketball’s off-court chemistry with wine grow stronger with every buzzer, so much so that the National Basketball Association is now following in the Euro steps of many of its current and retired stars—by creating a wine of its own.
Last year, California-based international wine powerhouse Jackson Family Wines’ Kendall-Jackson and La Crema wineries became the Official Wines of the NBA and WNBA, respectively. In addition to Kendall-Jackson wines being served at NBA games around the country, the NBA’s official wineries have hosted wine tasting and education events for both players and fans.
Of course, many of the NBA’s best and brightest current and former stars have already barreled into wine …
Which Basketball Stars Make Wine?
It was only a few weeks ago that Syracuse and New York Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony presented a seminar on his Oath of Fidelity Châteauneuf-du-Pape at Wine Spectator’s 2025 New York Wine Experience.
Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade, proprietor of Wade Cellars, is deeply involved in the Napa wine community, and four-time champ Tony Parker makes wines in France’s Rhône Valley as well as Champagne and Provence.
From Donovan Mitchell to Kevin Love and Channing Frye to veteran All-Star Chris Paul and all the way back to the NBA’s original wine pioneer Yao Ming, the players (OK, Pop, too) have been polishing their wine game for well over a decade.
And while the King himself doesn’t make wine (yet?), LeBron James has been known to post some flashy bottles on his Instagram feed, including Pétrus and Gaja, and he was also spotted sipping Opus One courtside last year.
What Kind of Wine Is Kendall-Jackson Making with the NBA?
Now Kendall-Jackson and the league are splashing a three of their own, with NBA-branded Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon made by KJ head winemaker Kris Kato and sporting NBA-themed labels created by Larry O'Brien Trophy designer Victor Solomon.
The whites, a 2024 Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County (4,000 cases made) and 2024 Chardonnay (7,000 cases) from Monterey County, are priced at $15 each, while the 2023 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon (4,000 cases) is $25.
Solomon’s label design includes a pebbled texture that evokes the feel of a basketball, and gold foil accents enhance the bling factor. “Sports and design both live at the intersection of tradition and imagination,” said Solomon. “Collaborating with Kendall-Jackson, a brand that shares my devotion to craft, felt like a natural extension of my work with the NBA. Together we created a label that echoes the feel and energy of the game, giving fans a piece they can enjoy, share and even collect.”
“We wanted to highlight wines that not only resonate with a broad spectrum of palates but also authentically express the regions and styles that define Kendall-Jackson,” said Kato. “Knowing that many NBA players are serious wine collectors, it was important that the wines reflect craftsmanship and complexity while remaining approachable for all fans to enjoy.”
For more on the Kendall-Jackson x NBA Wine Collection, visit kj.com/nba.
Enjoy Unfiltered? The best of Unfiltered's round-up of drinks in pop culture can now be delivered straight to your inbox every other week! Sign up now to receive the Unfiltered e-mail newsletter, featuring the latest scoop on how wine intersects with film, TV, music, sports, politics and more.
