These NBA legends are making moves from the hardwood to the vineyard, showing that their palates are just as refined as their game.
When you think about NBA players off the court, you might picture designer fits, luxury whips, and high-end real estate. But there’s another status symbol that’s been bubbling up among the league’s elite—fine wine. Yeah, we’re talking bottles that cost more than your rent, tasting notes more complex than Coach Nurse’s defensive schemes, and collections that would make any sommelier weak in the knees. From championship celebrations doused in Champagne to group chats blowing up on CorkRules about the latest vintage, the NBA’s wine culture is more than a trend—it’s a lifestyle.
KING JAMES REIGNS OVER THE WINE CELLAR
LeBron James isn’t just chasing GOATs on the court—he’s sipping the finest grapes off it. The King’s wine journey is legendary at this point. Dude regularly flexes rare Bordeaux bottles on his IG that would have wine collectors shook. We’re talking ’82 Petrus and ’90 Margaux like they’re everyday sippers.
What sets Bron apart is how he’s integrated wine into his basketball routine. He’s been spotted bringing high-end bottles to watch games, breaking down plays while breaking down flavor profiles. On his “Mind the Game” podcast with JJ Redick, wine glasses are as much a fixture as basketball talk, with episodes often kicking off with LeBron describing what’s in their glasses before diving into X’s and O’s.
His teammates have seen his passion firsthand. During the Cavs’ championship years, LeBron would roll up to team dinners with bottles worth more than your car payment. Richard Jefferson once said Bron could blind taste test wines and tell you not just the grape, but the damn hillside it grew on. That’s next-level wine IQ.
D-WADE: FROM MIAMI HEAT TO NAPA HEAT
When Dwyane Wade hung up his jersey, he didn’t just kick back—he launched Wade Cellars with renowned winemaker Jayson Pahlmeyer. Flash’s California wines reflect his playing style: elegant, powerful, and with surprising finesse.
“I approached wine like I approached basketball,” Wade told SLAM. “I wasn’t born into it, but once I found it, I put in the work to understand every aspect.” His Three By Wade label keeps it accessible for casual fans, while his signature Wade Cellars joints bring that All-NBA quality.
Wade Cellars’ flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the prestigious Napa Valley, has earned critical acclaim with a remarkable 95-point score. Just like his clutch performances on the court, Wade’s wines deliver when it matters most.
MELO’S SMOOTH TRANSITION
Carmelo Anthony’s wine game is as smooth as his mid-range jumper. The 10-time All-Star has been building a collection since his Denver days, but it was during his time in New York when the obsession really took over.
His Melo Wines portfolio showcases his appreciation for craftsmanship and detail. The standout Melo 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, with its rich black fruit flavors and supple tannins, has earned an impressive 92-point score from critics.
“Wine is like basketball—it’s about history, tradition, and culture,” Melo explained on his podcast. His IG lives where he breaks down bottles are like wine masterclasses, no sommelier certification needed. And when Melo, Wade, and LeBron link up for their “Banana Boat Wine Sessions,” you know extraordinary bottles are getting uncorked.
JAMES HARDEN: BEARD AND BORDEAUX
The Beard might be known for his step-back three, but his wine step-forward game is gaining recognition too. Harden’s been spotted at exclusive tastings around Europe during offseasons, and his wine cellar is rumored to be almost as impressive as his sneaker collection.
His venture into the wine world with 13 Wines demonstrates the same commitment to excellence he brings to the court. Sourcing grapes from top California vineyards, Harden’s portfolio includes exceptional Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon that showcase his attention to detail.
“I approach wine like I approach the game—always learning, always trying new things,” Harden said. While he’s still building his wine reputation, the early reviews suggest his wine game might be just as unstoppable as his offensive arsenal.
CJ MCCOLLUM: FROM BACKCOURT TO BACKYARD VINEYARD
CJ McCollum isn’t just dropping dimes on the court—he’s dropping serious wine knowledge off it. The sharp-shooting guard took his passion to the next level by purchasing 318 acres in Oregon’s Willamette Valley to create McCollum Heritage 91.
“Basketball is my first love, but wine is definitely fighting for that top spot,” McCollum told SLAM. His pinot noir gets as much attention to detail as his shooting form, with CJ involved in every step of the process. When teammates hit up his place for dinner, they know they’re getting an education along with world-class vino.
McCollum’s CorkRules profile is legendary among players, with his detailed tasting notes and vineyard visit reports serving as a virtual wine bible for NBA rookies just dipping their toes into the scene. “I’m trying to be a resource,” says CJ. “Just like vets helped me develop my game, I want to help guys develop their palates.”
CHANNING FRYE: FROM ROLE PLAYER TO WINE PLAYER
Channing Frye might have been a role player on the court, but he’s an All-Star in the wine game. The 2016 champion co-founded Chosen Family Wines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, specializing in pinot noir that hits different.
Frye’s small-lot, single-vineyard wines have earned critical acclaim, with the Chosen Family Pinot Noir scoring an impressive 91 points for its vibrant red fruit aromas and silky texture.
Frye and fellow NBA vet Kevin Love frequently drop wine knowledge on their podcast, with Frye bringing the same analytical approach to tasting notes that he once brought to scouting reports. “Wine brings people together just like basketball does,” Frye told us. “It’s about sharing stories and experiences.”
One of the first players to fully embrace CorkRules, Frye uses the app’s “Blind Tasting Challenge” feature to keep his palate sharp. “I’ll have my wife pick a bottle, cover the label, and I’ll guess everything from region to vintage. Then I log it all in the app so my NBA wine crew can see where I messed up,” he laughs.
CORKRULES: THE OFFICIAL SCOREBOARD OF NBA WINE CULTURE
The NBA wine community just got a major tech upgrade with CorkRules, the premier wine app that’s changing how these ballers catalog and share their wine experiences. Think of it as a basketball group chat, but exclusively for wine nerds who want to flex their latest rare find or debate the merits of different vintages.
According to CorkRules’ featured article on NBA players and their wines, the connection between basketball stars and fine wine continues to grow, with players like Tony Parker also joining the ranks of vintners with his TP Wines venture.
“Our squad was constantly texting about bottles, sending pics, asking questions,” says an aspiring wine lover, an early adopter. “CorkRules organizes all that and lets us score wines, share tasting notes, and even suggests new bottles based on what we’ve liked.”
The app’s “Private Group” feature is particularly popular with players who travel constantly. It allows users to track what bottles their friends have stashed, making it easy to plan wine nights when they’re in the same city and when dining out with 50,000+ restaurants to scan their wine lists.
The “Personalization Algorithm” feature helps players discover new bottles based on their existing preferences, the tool recommends wines at various price points—perfect for rookies just starting their collections or veterans looking for daily drinkers.
For ballers with high end taste buds, the apps allows you to track down your favorite bottles while on the road at restaurants and shops.
BALLERS BRINGING WINE CULTURE TO NEW AUDIENCES
What’s most significant about the NBA’s wine revolution isn’t just that players are drinking expensive bottles—it’s how they’re democratizing wine culture. Through social media, podcasts, and now apps like CorkRules, they’re making wine accessible to fans who might have thought fine wine wasn’t for them.
“These guys are doing for wine what they did for fashion in the NBA,” says one industry insider. “They’re making it cool, approachable, and part of the culture.”
From LeBron’s legendary tastings to Melo’s educational content to Wade’s affordable labels, the NBA wine community is expanding the game—proving that their influence extends well beyond the basketball court.
As Frye puts it: “Wine is just like hoops. At first, you don’t know what you’re doing, but you put in the time, develop your palate, and suddenly you’re calling out tasting notes like you’re calling out defensive coverages.”
Game recognize game. Bottle recognize bottle.
