McCollum Heritage 91 to release its first sparkling wine on September 19, 2022
NEWBERG, Ore. (September 14, 2022) – Professional athlete and wine connoisseur CJ McCollum will release his first McCollum Heritage 91 sparkling wine with the release of a 2016 Heritage 91 Sparkling Blanc de blancs. The sparkling wine marks the sixth wine to be released from McCollum Heritage 91, following the successful launch of two Chehalem Mountains Pinot noirs that sold out in less than an hour, two Willamette Valley Rosé wines and the 2019 One Barrel Challenge Chardonnay. In addition, the wine brand is currently developing a 318-acre vineyard property it purchased in the Yamihill-Carlton AVA last fall. The 2016 Heritage 91 Sparkling Blanc de blancs will be released on September 19, CJ McCollum’s birthday.
“Sparkling wine has always been special to me,” said McCollum. “I celebrated NBA Draft night with sparkling wine, and continue to celebrate special occasions — and even everyday ‘good days’ with bubbles. We’ve been so honored by the positive response from fans and wine lovers since we launched McCollum Heritage 91, and we’re excited to share this celebratory 2016 Heritage 91 Sparkling Blanc de blancs as the newest addition into our family of wines.”
McCollum Heritage 91 is a culmination of not only McCollum’s passion for wine, but also his dedication to creating a brand that carries forward his legacy. Working in partnership with Adelsheim Vineyard, he has spent countless hours with winemaker Gina Hennen to refine his preferences, and has been hands-on in every step of the process.
The premium Chardonnay grapes for this Blanc de blancs come entirely from Adelsheim’s LIVE certified estate Bryan Creek vineyard nestled high in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. This is an exceptional site for sparkling wine, as it consistently produces lovely, mineral driven wines with appealing stone fruit nuances. The 2016 Heritage 91 Sparkling Blanc de blancs is textured and luscious, balanced by a seam of acidity running through the length of the wine, offering notes of white peach, crushed stone, and freshly baked bread.
“It’s such an honor to be part of this next step in CJ’s wine journey,” said Adelsheim’s Gina Hennen, who serves as winemaker for McCollum Heritage 91. “The year 2016 was a rollercoaster of a vintage here in the Willamette Valley, with a warm spring, early bloom and early harvest, culminating with the handpicking of these grapes on a beautiful sunrise in late August. The resulting 2016 Heritage 91 Sparkling Blanc de blancs is a delightful first sparkling release for Heritage 91.”
The 2016 Heritage 91 Sparkling Blanc de blancs will be available for purchase on the McCollum Heritage 91 website and will retail for $133, a reference to McCollum’s uniform number on the court: 3. The label name, McCollum Heritage 91, is not only a nod to his family — “heritage” was McCollum’s childhood street name and “91” is a reflection of his own vintage, having been born in 1991.
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. For more information, please visit: www.mccollumheritage91.com.
