[ PORTRAIT ]
NBA, winery // USA
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Meeting with Elise & CJ McCollum
“Wine is like basketball, a lot of work and preparation is done in the dark when no one is watching.”
For CJ McCollum, wine, basketball and legacy go hand in hand. After a gifted bottle of wine sparked his interest and that of his wife Elise during their college years, the two found themselves on a curiosity-driven venture through the world of viticulture and winemaking.
In 2020, the duo took their journey to new heights and established McCollum Heritage 91 in the Willamette Valley though it doesn’t stop there. Coupled with CJ’s professional NBA career, Elise’s day job as a dentist and the recent addition of two small children to their family, it’s safe to say that the duo has their hands full in the best possible way.
Now five years in, CJ and Elise are more passionate than ever about their burgeoning family business. Set on a 318-acre property in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the two are committed to producing high-quality estate wines made from sustainably-farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. EuroCave sat down with the busy couple to chat about all things wine, sports and family, as well as how the three intersect in the McCollum household.
When did you first discover your passion for wine?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“We first discovered our passions for wine when we moved to Oregon back in 2013. The curiosity started with a Merlot we received as a gift from Elise’s mother and father back in college! It felt very fancy; we were curious to grow and mature in what we were drinking at that time. However, it was ultimately a bottle of Walter Scott Pinot Noir that led us to understand the complexities of wine. It was the first bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir we had ever tasted, and the volcanic soil blew us away.”
How has your basketball career influenced your wine journey?
CJ McCOLLUM
“Without me being drafted to the Portland Trailblazers and having the Willamette Valley so close and easily accessible, I don’t think we would’ve ever gotten bit by the wine bug. We certainly wouldn’t have been exposed to the Oregon wine community, or been mentored by some of the founding fathers of the wine space. Being drafted to Portland was a fortuitous step in our wine journey and a crucial part of why we fell in love with the Valley and Carlton in general. Playing basketball has allowed us to travel all over the world and meet so many people from different walks of life who all enjoy wine. From the food and beverage industry to basketball teammates and staff, wine and sports have taken us on an incredible journey.”
What made you settle on the Willamette Valley, specifically the Yamhill-Carlton AVA?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“It was fate. We persistently searched for an ideal location that fit our passion, personalities, backgrounds and love for viticulture. We knew if we were going to be a part of the wine industry in a big way, it would have to be here in Oregon, where our love for wine started to truly blossom. Carlton is a gem. The peace and tranquility we feel here is so unique in contrast to our busy, chaotic lifestyles due to our careers. From the rolling hills to the unique terroir and soil profiles, this place is special. We love the people, the sunsets, the weather and the serious temperature swings we’re fortunate enough to experience throughout the year. This welcoming community has been instrumental in our development.”
Could you share some bottles and wine moments that have left the biggest impression on you?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“We’ve had some amazing moments learning from Gina and Rob over at Adelsheim Vineyard. Without their partnership and support early on in the wine industry, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Being able to have barrel tastings at some of our favorite wineries in the Valley, and with some of the brightest minds in the industry, is something we don’t take for granted. Some of our fondest memories include being on our farm and watching our son Jacobi run around and eat grapes. Seeing his joy and excitement about being on the vineyard, and knowing that our legacy will continue to move forward through our family is awesome. We completed our first harvest on our property last year and were able to see this journey come full circle. We also had some really cool moments participating in harvest at Adelsheim over the years, waking up before the sun, and enjoying seeing how many people took part in bringing the wine from vine to bottle!”
Can’t wait to see how our kids continue to grow as our vines grow alongside them!
You speak a lot about the idea of legacy. How did legacy play into your decision to start a winery?
CJ McCOLLUM
“Family and love were at the heart of our decision to join the wine industry. When we thought long term about how we wanted to spend our days, we knew we wanted to be working together as a team from a business stance. Elise and I have very busy careers outside of our homelife and we knew we wanted to spend more time together, including with our children, as much as we possibly could. Our goal is to expose them to this industry and build key memories together in our vineyard in Oregon. We plan to grow our roots in Carlton and leave a legacy for generations to come.”
What are some of your foundational farming and winemaking pillars at McCollum Heritage 91?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“We believe in sustainability. We place emphasis on treating people and our environment with love and care. We believe in fair wages and have a strong commitment towards mindful growth and sustainable business practices across the board. We have a LIVE certified farm and produce LIVE certified sustainable wine that is also salmon-safe. We want to leave this industry and world better than it was when we found it.”
What are some unexpected challenges you've encountered along the way?
CJ McCOLLUM
“Planting a vineyard is never easy, especially planting one from scratch. From late frost to extreme heat, to each state having different compliance issues, we have to maneuver as we expand into distribution. Because of the complications, we have truly experienced and seen a lot in this business. You have no control over nature, you’re simply forced to plan and adapt accordingly. Working with your significant other can present its own set of challenges, as you have your day-to-day dynamic on the table, along with the dynamics of the business. However, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Balancing schedules and juggling the demands of personal and professional lives isn’t always easy, but as Elise has pointed out, effective time management is crucial. Over time, we’ve learned to coordinate our schedules and navigate the obstacles that running a business often presents.”
What has been the most rewarding part of your winemaking journey so far? How does it intertwine with your basketball career?
CJ McCOLLUM
“The most rewarding part of the winemaking journey has been the fact that my wife and I get to work side-by-side building our brand and running our business together. Building a family brand as first-generation winemakers and owners is something we don’t take for granted. Seeing the vines continue to grow and develop each year is a tremendous feeling and a reminder of the importance of process and patience. Patience and process are extremely important in sports, life and wine. Oftentimes we want results right away, but it’s the journey, process and unseen daily grind in the dark that leads to the spectacular moments we see in the light. The soil needs to be meticulously cared for, and the vines need love and lots of water. Like basketball, a lot of work and preparation is done in the dark when no one is watching. People think success just comes overnight, but the truth is that consistency leads to longevity, and so many people play a vital role in an athlete’s success. Families, coaches, staff, front office and, believe or not, the fans do as well. The same goes for wine. A lot of people impact the fruit from the ground to the barrel, to our bottles – farmers, interns, winemakers, viticulturists and so on. So many people play a part in bringing the juice to life. Consumers and wine lovers ultimately help tell the story of each wine, and shared experiences lead to the best kinds of storytelling.
Who are some winemaking figures that you admire?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“Gina Hennen is someone we deeply admire in the wine industry. She’s not only a phenomenal winemaker, but also an exceptional educator. Gina is truly a walking encyclopaedia when it comes to viticulture and winemaking. Her depth of knowledge, paired with real-world experience, is incredibly inspiring. She, like us, had a unique journey into wine; she originally worked as an engineer before making the decision to return to school to pursue her passion for winemaking. That kind of dedication and courage earns a lot of respect. Beyond her technical skills, Gina is organized, professional, and deeply ethical - everything you’d look for in a true industry leader. She also works incredibly hard and brings authenticity to everything she does. Mike Etzel, owner of Sequitur, is also someone we greatly admire in the wine industry. His vision and relentless work ethic are evident in every aspect of his brand. What stands out most is how hands-on he is, from farming to winemaking, to the thoughtful design of his winery and tasting room. Mike planted his entire vineyard himself, embodying the spirit of a true farmer. He and his wife work together in different capacities, bringing a sense of family and collaboration to everything they do. His tasting room is a perfect reflection of his intentional approach – it is built almost entirely from reclaimed wood sourced from his own property, and each detail in the room tells a story. He’s built a strong, values-driven team around him and the wines he produces are nothing short of exceptional.”
Like basketball, a lot of work and preparation is done in the dark when no one is watching.
Tell us a little about the wines in bottle. Which came first, how did the project evolve?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“The Pinot Noir blend came first. It was the first Oregon wine we tasted, and ironically we made a blend of Pinot Noir from Bryant Creek Vineyard to pay homage to the first Oregon wine we ever tasted. When we first began purchasing fruit, we only made Pinot Noir. Since 2017, we have slowly introduced other wines as we came to enjoy other varieties. Next came the Rosé, the Chardonnay, the aforementioned single-vineyard Pinot Noir, and then the Blanc de Blancs. Essentially, as our palates expanded, we began to explore making other wines. The project has continued to evolve, and now we have 5 SKUs and we have bottled our first estate wine! Our wines are currently available online at McCollumHeritage91.com. We’re building out our distribution now and we will have wine readily available in a number of states in the months to come.”
How have your children reacted to life on the winery and farm?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“Last year, we brought our kids to our farm and it was the first time they were able to walk around and see how spacious it was. Jacobi was 2 and a half at the time and we were walking around with Margaux in her carrier because she wasn’t walking yet! Jacobi was running around eating grapes having a ball. Margaux was more cautious – we carried her around and showed her the vines and the dirt. Margaux sat and ate the fruit and Jacobi was in his element: he was playing with the dirt and looking for rocks. At that moment we knew our dream of our family being a part of our land and enjoying the peace nature offers was coming to fruition. Can’t wait to see how they continue to grow to love our farm as our vines grow alongside them!”
What can we expect next from C.J. and Elise?
ELISE & CJ McCOLLUM
“We’re currently working on building our on-property tasting room. We also have some really cool plans in the works for a tasting room in downtown Oregon. Above all, we view wine as a powerful connector. Our winery represents a lasting legacy for our children, so when building our tasting room, we wanted our kids to feel actively involved in the experience. The tasting room will be designed as a welcoming space not just for adults, but for children as well. Plans include a dedicated play area adjacent to the tasting room where kids can enjoy reading books. In addition, there will be an area on-site for kids to pet and feed farm animals.”
Article - Vicki Denig
Vicki Denig is a wine and travel journalist based between New York and Paris. Her wine industry career began at Sud de France Développement in Manhattan, followed by a Wine Consultant/Buyer position at Quality House Wines. Since 2017, Vicki has worked as a freelance journalist and content creation full time. Her work regularly appears in Decanter, Food & Wine, Wine-Searcher, Wine Enthusiast, and more. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine.
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