Former NBA Champion Channing Frye has successfully transitioned from basketball star to winemaker, founding Chosen Family Wines in Portland, Oregon. Frye sat down with Besa Gordon in 2023 to discuss how he turned his passion for wine into a thriving business centered on community. 

Located in the Willamette Valley, Chosen Family Wines aims to bring good, affordable wine to the community and encourage individuals to enter the industry. Frye is using his platform not only to share his product with the world but also to focus on industry representation. He noted that his winery is one of only three Black-owned wineries in Oregon, alongside one owned by current NBA player CJ McCollum. 

Frye emphasizes that his venture extends beyond the product itself. "It’s not just about the wine, it’s about the people and the land too,” he said. Chosen Family Wines is committed to "breaking down barriers one sip at a time" while celebrating the evolving cultural landscape of Portland. 

Connect with Chosen Family Wines directly via their website at chosenfamilywines.com.

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