“Nothing better than good conversation over a glass of wine (or two),” said Carmelo Anthony once. The NBA veteran is proving that great taste doesn’t have to come with a prohibitive price tag. While NBA stars like Dwyane Wade’s Wade Cellars and LeBron James’s Lobos tequila have carved out their niches in the premium wine market, Anthony is taking a different approach that’s set to shake up the industry’s traditional boundaries.

In a recent Instagram video posted by VII(N) The Seventh Estate brand, it has been revealed that the brand is launching ‘Sovereign Wines’, a game-changing collection that promises to democratize wine consumption with its jaw-dropping $16 price point. This recent initiative has been taken by the brand, after multiple requests from fans for an affordable wine.

“So these are the ‘Gayda’s’. This is more for I would say the everyday person who just wanna drink some wine. This is ‘Sovereign’. I’m sure you guys will love the price point on this,” said Anthony in the video which was followed by Swann’s, “Maison Seven, Melo, and I came up with this to create a space for wines that will be listed and priced under $20 and under. Our Sovereign Wine is selling at $16 a bottle.”

However, the launch comes with a twist: customers must purchase a minimum of two bottles to avoid a higher shipping fee, with options traversing between a white and an intriguing red-labeled variant. Moreover, on the upcoming occasion of Cyber Monday, Anthony and Swan’s brand is offering special shipping rates of $25 for 6 to 11 bottles and even free shipping on orders of 12 bottles or more.

“This wine when we do release is that this wine you can only buy two or more bottles because we don’t want you to pay more for shipping than you do for your bottle of wine. So ‘Sovereign’ you do have to buy in a two-pack. You can even buy two reds, two whites or you can mix it up red and white,” said Swann.

Anthony’s venture into the Wine Industry started in 2022 when he launched his first vintage wine ‘Oath to Fidelity’ which was a blend of cherries, lavender, sage, and peppercorns. Fast forward to May of this year, the New York Knicks veteran made huge success as he launched his second wine under his brand, ‘Ode to Soul’, in partnership with Robert Mondavi Winery. The wine was priced at $275 per bottle and was made from the grapes of To-Kalon vineyards in Napa’s Oakville district.

“If you take a look at French wines on the market using the grapes that we used you cannot find a bottle of wine at this quality and at this price point and being a French Wine. But we were able to bring it to you so we’re super excited for you to taste it and we hope that you love it,” added Swann in the latest announcement video.

For Carmelo Anthony, this isn’t just a business venture – it’s an extension of his brand philosophy. As the wine world watches, one thing becomes clear: the NBA veteran isn’t just entering the wine market – he’s redefining it. However, while this can be seen as a move to tackle the growing market, Anthony already had few plans in place to face the competition.

Anthony’s plan to play in the competitive wine market

Anthony’s foray into the $500 billion wine industry was not without its challenges. When he entered the market, he joined a growing list of NBA players who had already dipped their toes into the world of fine wines. Names like Dwyane Wade, with Wade Cellars, and CJ McCollum, with McCollum Heritage 91, were already creating ripples in the space. Yet, despite the competition and skepticism about athletes succeeding outside their primary domain, Anthony’s venture proved unique.

During the ‘Wine and Spirits Festival’ the interviewer, Coltrane Curtis asked Melo how he planned to tackle this industry’s challenges. The 40-year-old was quick to answer his ultimate tactic. “It’s very difficult coming in as an athlete because so you, for some reason it’s just shut up and dribble it… We actually planted these seeds 10-15 years ago and we just starting to see the benefits from that,” said Anthony.

The wine industry is a growing market in the US with each person consuming 9.9 liters every year. By remaining genuine and focusing on long-term quality, Anthony has paved a path that will only take him toward glory and has carved out a space where his efforts are celebrated, proving that true passion can break boundaries—even in a ruthless $500 billion market. What do you think about the new wine from the VII(N) The Seventh Estate brand? Let us know in the comments!