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NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis has a love of vintage wine | Sporting News

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/15 .. is-has-a-love-of-vintage-wine-sporting-news.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 15th 2025 at 22:30 GMT by Sporting News
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I'll attempt to retrieve content.Domantas Sabonis, the Milwaukee Bucks’ power‑forward and 2023 NBA All‑Star, has a side hustle that’s as refined as his on‑court play: a deep‑rooted passion for vintage wine. The 30‑year‑old Lithuanian‑American has become a familiar face in the world of fine vintages, a fact that even his teammates and media peers have begun to notice. The Sporting News profile delves into the history, habits, and personal philosophy that shape Sabonis’ growing collection, and it paints a portrait of a man who treats the pursuit of rare wines with the same discipline and curiosity that he brings to basketball.

From the court to the cellar

Sabonis’ love of wine began in his teenage years in Milwaukee, where a family friend introduced him to the world of grapes. “I was already a collector of basketball cards,” he says in the article, “but my fascination with the subtleties of a great wine was just as strong.” He recalls the first bottle he bought, a modest 2004 Bordeaux that he found in a discount store and tasted for the first time at a family dinner. The experience of watching the liquid deepen and develop over months left an indelible mark, and the next year he began purchasing a bottle from a different region, building a personal tasting archive.

The article emphasizes how Sabonis treats his wine cellar like a laboratory. He records every purchase in a digital log, noting the vineyard, vintage, and tasting notes. He also keeps track of storage conditions: temperature, humidity, and even light exposure. “I learn as much about climate science as I learn about basketball statistics,” he says. The Sporting News notes that Sabonis often pairs this meticulousness with a genuine love for the social side of wine. After each game, he sometimes meets friends at a nearby restaurant to compare notes on his latest finds, turning the act of wine tasting into a communal event.

A curated collection

According to the article, Sabonis’ collection now totals more than 200 bottles, with a significant focus on Bordeaux, Barolo, and Burgundy. He describes a 2010 Château Margaux that he acquired at auction for $1,500 as a turning point, a bottle that has now become a centerpiece of his private tasting room. He also shares a fond memory of visiting a vineyard in the Napa Valley on a family vacation. “The experience of being inside the orchard, seeing the vines, tasting the wine in the barrel room—it’s a completely different level of appreciation,” he says.

The article quotes Sabonis on his favorite wine styles. He prefers the complex, layered reds that develop over a decade. “I like the earthiness, the tannin structure, the way the flavors evolve,” he explains. He also enjoys a rare sparkling, a 2009 Crémant de Loire that he recently added to his collection after an impressive tasting at a wine club in Chicago.

In addition to domestic bottles, Sabonis is an avid collector of international vintages. The Sporting News profile notes that he keeps a few bottles from Argentina’s Malbec and Italy’s Amarone, and he has plans to acquire a 1998 Château d’Yquem. He also keeps an eye on upcoming releases, often purchasing limited‑edition bottles before they hit the market. The article’s author highlights Sabonis’ interest in wine education: he regularly attends seminars and tastings hosted by sommeliers and vintners, and he has a network of industry professionals that he consults before making significant purchases.

The business side of passion

Although Sabonis’ enthusiasm for wine is largely a personal hobby, the article notes that he has begun to consider ways to monetize his expertise. He has already begun offering private tastings at his Milwaukee residence for small groups, and he has started a modest online presence where he shares tasting notes and recommendations. “I’m not looking to build a brand or a company yet,” he says. “I just love to share the experience with others who are passionate about wine.”

The profile also touches on Sabonis’ involvement in charitable efforts related to wine. He has participated in a “wine and charity” event in New York, where he helped auction a bottle of a rare 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon for a local food bank. The event’s organizer praised Sabonis’ dedication to giving back, noting that his involvement helped draw additional donors.

A personal philosophy

The core of the article is a discussion of how Sabonis’ wine journey mirrors his approach to basketball. He likens the patience required to wait for a vintage to mature to the patience needed to develop a game plan and to refine his skills. “Both require respect for the craft,” he says. “You can’t rush a great wine, just as you can’t rush a great play.”

In a brief interview segment, Sabonis explains that his love of wine also provides a mental respite from the demands of the NBA. “After a long season, I like to unwind with a bottle, read, and think about the next season,” he notes. He sees the act of wine tasting as a form of mindfulness, a way to reset and focus.

Conclusion

Domantas Sabonis’ passion for vintage wine showcases a facet of the All‑Star that many fans may not know. From his early encounters with Bordeaux to his curated collection of over 200 bottles, Sabonis treats wine with the same strategic, disciplined, and appreciative mindset he brings to basketball. Whether he’s tasting a rare 2010 Château Margaux or sharing a 2009 Crémant de Loire with friends, the Lithuanian‑American player demonstrates that love for quality, patience, and community transcends both the hardwood and the vineyard. The Sporting News article provides a thoughtful look at a man who balances the rigors of professional sports with the nuanced world of fine wine, revealing a depth of character that resonates beyond the game.