Spirited Sports

Ya o F a m i l y W i n e s

By Christopher Osburn - Photo: Yao Family Wines

Yao Ming is one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet. He was the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft and was an eight time all-star. At 7 foot 6, he was the tallest player in the league at the time of his retirement last year. Having already made a ‘slam dunk’ in the world of professional basketball, Yao is now trying to do the same in another profession.

In November of 2011, Yao announced the establishment of his new Napa Valley wine company: Yao Family Wines. “I was so fortunate to be exposed to great wines during my basketball career”, says Yao. While traveling with the Rockets, he says, the players would go out to dinner together and many of his teammates had a vast knowledge of wine. “I was given the opportunity to taste some of the best Napa Valley wines at dinners with my teammates, friends and at other events. This is when my interest and passion for wine, especially Napa Valley wines, first started.”

“So when I was presented the opportunity to have my own wine, it was very exciting.” He was introduced to many people in the wine-making community, including his current winemaker Tom Hinde. “It is so exciting to bring something home to China that I loved when I lived in the States,” says Yao. “China is just learning about Napa Valley wine, and being able to introduce people to something new and help teach them through our wines really inspired me to get involved in the industry.”

Yao Family Wines stays true to the traditions of Napa Valley. Although they don’t have a vineyard of their own, they get their grapes from six vineyards in the Valley. “They have been growing grapes in these vineyards for many years.” He says that the wine team works with vineyard owners and is extremely hands-on throughout the entire process to make sure the end product is exactly what they want. He added, “All our vineyards have a great reputation in the Valley for producing excellent fruit.”

Yao Ming is more than just the face of the business, though. He lets Hinde and his people handle the actual wine-making process, but he has input into almost everything else. “I am very involved in the entire project,” says Yao. “Everything from the type of wine to the label is an expression of my personal taste and culture. I work closely with my entire team and they have taught me a lot about wine.”

Their inaugural wine was 2009 Yao Ming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, but Yao Family Wines also currently makes a Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The wine business isn’t all that Yao is up to now that he has retired from the NBA. “I am enjoying being home (in Shanghai) and spending more time with my family. I am also the proud owner of the Shanghai Sharks, a team that I once played on. I am attending school, taking classes to learn more about business. I am also very involved in my foundation, theyaomingfoundation.org which is dedicated to improving the lives of children.”