The first ever wine brand by a WNBA star, Deldon Wines is the new off-court project by Washington Mystics forward and Olympic Gold Medal winner Elena Delle Donne
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (December 5, 2023) – Professional women’s basketball player Elena Delle Donne has launched Deldon Wines, the first-ever wine brand by a WNBA star athlete. Known for her dominance on the court, Delle Donne created Deldon Wines to continue expanding her legacy beyond basketball, to keep breaking barriers for women, and to pave a path for others to pursue greatness. A partnership with Los Angeles-based wine concept DD Project Wines, Deldon Wines is not just a vehicle for Delle Donne to express her creativity and family-driven love for wine, it is also a charitable venture to benefit non-profit causes close to her heart.
“Launching Deldon Wines is a dream come true for me because it ticks so many boxes in terms of my values,” says Delle Donne. “I knew my next project would be a wine brand because wine has always been part of my connection with my family — and anyone who knows my story knows how much family means to me. Being able to share this family connection with the world while also supporting charitable causes that are deeply meaningful to me makes me so excited to launch Deldon Wines.”
Proceeds from the sale of the brand’s first wine, 2021 Deldon Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, will be split between Delle Donne’s namesake foundation, which benefits Lyme disease research and special needs programs, and the DD Entrepreneurial Foundation, which provides start-up capital to support women’s entrepreneurship. The Deldon pinot noir retails for $49 and is available exclusively online at www.ddprojectwines.
Launching the first wine brand by a WNBA superstar is just the latest in a series of ‘firsts’ in Delle Donne’s life – she was additionally the first woman to join NBA stars like Steph Curry and Steve Nash in the 50/40/90 club. Delle Donne is also the creator of Nike’s most inclusive sneaker, the Air Deldon, which has features that are accessible to those with disabilities – a nod to her sister’s dual diagnoses of cerebral palsy and autism, as well as Delle Donne’s own battle with Lyme disease, both of which inspired the creation of her charitable foundation and Deldon Wines.
About Deldon Wines
Deldon Wines by Elena Delle Donne is the first-ever wine brand by a WNBA star athlete. A gold medal Olympian and two-time WNBA ‘Most Valuable Player’ from Wilmington, Delaware, Delle Donne is one of the only American female athletes with a namesake wine. She is a triple threat both on the court and off: superstar WNBA athlete, outspoken advocate and fundraiser for those with special needs and Lyme Disease research, and now wine entrepreneur. Inspired by the role wine played in family meals and celebrations throughout her life, Delle Donne founded Deldon Wines to create connections and opportunities for others. A fundraising tool for causes close to Delle Donne’s heart, Deldon Wines is a charitable brand from which all proceeds will be donated equally to the Elena Delle Donne Foundation and the DD Entrepreneurial Foundation. The Elena Delle Donne Charitable Foundation works to raise funds for and awareness of Lyme disease research, special needs programs, and animal welfare work. The foundation believes that individuals and animals have the right to be treated with compassion, respect and dignity and seeks to improve the quality of life for all. www.elenadelledonne.com
About DD Project Wines
The DD Project Wines’ goal is simple: to create world-class wine with purpose. That purpose is to make the world a better place and to drink delicious wine in the process. All proceeds from The DD Project go to the DD Entrepreneurial Foundation benefiting female entrepreneurial and educational initiatives in the state of Delaware and beyond. Founded by music industry entrepreneur David Britz, The DD Project was created in loving memory of Britz’s mother, Diane Rizzo (Dickerson), co-founder of the Capriotti’s Sandwich Franchise, whose trailblazing entrepreneurial spirit is the brand’s North Star. Since 2022, The DD Entrepreneurial Foundation has issued $40,000 in grants supporting female-owned small businesses. http://
