CJ McCollum Bottles Passion For Wine Into His Own Willamette Valley Label
In partnership with Adelsheim Vineyard, professional athlete and wine connoisseur introduces McCollum Heritage 91; 2018 Chehalem Mountains Pinot noir available this fall
NEWBERG, Ore. (June 25, 2020) - Professional athlete and longtime wine connoisseur CJ McCollum has launched a Willamette Valley wine label in partnership with Adelsheim Vineyard. The first vintage of McCollum Heritage 91 will be a 2018 Chehalem Mountains Pinot noir, available for sale this fall.
“After being introduced to wine in my early 20s by my now fiancée Elise, my fortuitous move to one of the top wine regions in the U.S. took my existing passion for - and knowledge of - wine to new heights,” said McCollum. “I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in the Willamette Valley, and Pinot noir has earned a special place in my heart. With the introduction of McCollum Heritage 91, I hope basketball fans and wine lovers alike will appreciate this bottle as much as I enjoyed the process of bringing it to them.”
McCollum has been intimately involved in every step of bringing McCollum Heritage 91 to life. He spent countless hours with Adelsheim winemaker Gina Hennen, further refining his own wine preferences and investing time to learn the ins-and-outs of operating a wine business. McCollum has been hands-on in the building of the brand, including label and logo design, packaging decisions and overseeing marketing and communications efforts.
“Leaving a legacy is so important to me, as I hope my fans and followers see through my work both on-and-off the basketball court,” continued McCollum. “This wine brand is a reflection of me bringing my passions to life and honoring my family name in the process.”
The label name, McCollum Heritage 91, is not only a nod to his family, but “heritage” was McCollum’s childhood street name and “91” is a reflection of McCollum’s own vintage, having been born in 1991.
“We had a great time working side-by-side with CJ, creating this unique wine,” said Hennen. “It’s always fun to learn someone else’s palate, and - in CJ’s case - we were able to craft a wine to suit him—one drawn from his favored volcanic soils, with elegance, style and a smooth sensibility.
The McCollum Heritage 91 2018 Chehalem Mountains Pinot noir will be available for purchase on Sept. 15. Wines will be distributed through the McCollum Heritage 91 website, and the wine will retail for $50 per bottle. Like all wines produced with Adelsheim, the McCollum Heritage 91 2018 Chehalem Mountains Pinot noir is LIVE certified sustainable.
McCollum plans to release additional vintages of McCollum Heritage 91 wine, with availability anticipated in spring of 2021.
High res logo, label, images and tech sheet available here.
About McCollum Heritage 91
McCollum Heritage 91 is the creation of CJ McCollum. Having been introduced to wine in his early 20s, McCollum’s fortuitous move to one of the top wine regions in the U.S. led him to take his existing passion for - and knowledge of - wine to new heights. As reflected through his work both on-and-off the basketball court, leaving a legacy is greatly important to McCollum, and McCollum Heritage 91 is a reflection of bringing his passions to life and honoring his family name in the process. The first vintage of McCollum Heritage 91, a 2018 Chehalem Mountains Pinot noir, will be available starting in the fall of 2020. For more information, please visit: https://www.mccollumheritage91.com/.
Media Contact: Katie Schoen
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katie@lawrence-pr.com