All these years, Dwyane Wade has been getting much more than recognition as a fashion icon at the Met Gala. The former NBA star first made his appearance on the red carpet in 2015. However, his recent appearances have been gaining more attention than ever. However, the revelation that came to him this year should have given him nothing but pride and relief of sorts regarding the direction his businesses are headed in.

This year, too, the Miami Heat icon showed up coordinated with his wife, looking every bit the gentleman in a white tailcoat jacket, a sparkling shirt, classic black pants, and a black tie. But while his outfit got its share of attention, what truly took him by surprise wasn’t the fashion—it was the wine. Yes, wine. On a recent episode of the Dwyane Wade podcast, the three-time NBA champion shared an unexpected and proud moment he experienced during the event.

“They pour a lot of different things at the Met Gala. The last three years, they’ve been pouring Wade Sellers at the Met Gala… I’m sitting there and I’m talking to Shiv, and I’m having a conversation. I’m in a fan-out mode, but I’m being cool… And then they walk up and they say, Three by Wade,” he recalled. Can you imagine being served your own wine brand at one of the most exclusive events in the world—and trying to stay cool about it?

Wade continued, “When you’re sitting there, they bring it around champagne, they bring around water, they bring around wines… And so when he walked up, they said, Three by Wade… The conversation, I was like [mimicking himself acting subtle about his excitement], ‘Excuse me. Well, one moment, please. Let me tell you more about my wine brand…'”

For those not already familiar, Wade Cellars was born back in 2014 through a partnership with Napa Valley vintner Jayson Pahlmeyer. The label now includes a selection of wines like the flagship Wade Cabernet Sauvignon and the more accessible Three by Wade series, featuring the 2021 salmon-hued Rosé, 2022 pale hue Chenin Blanc, and 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon.

While Wade didn’t spill the exact date of the deal, his comments hint that it was around 2022 when he struck an agreement with none other than Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue and the powerhouse behind the Met Gala’s operations. So next time you see Dwyane Wade at the Met, remember—he’s not just turning heads with fashion. He’s also making quiet moves in the $175.23 billion wine industry, and doing it in style. And if you think Wade has been stagnant on expansion since his Met contract, you probably haven’t heard of the partnership he scored last year.

Dwyane Wade’s wine brand took a major progressive step just last year

If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping premium wine without breaking the bank, Dwyane Wade’s Wade Cellars has likely crossed your radar. Known for bringing affordable luxury straight from Napa Valley’s legendary vineyards, the brand took a bold leap forward in April of last year.

The 3-time NBA champion secured a major partnership with Vino Volo — the popular airport wine shop chain — putting Wade Cellars’ standout selections like Chenin Blanc in prime spots for travelers to enjoy. The exciting news dropped on Instagram, where Wade and his team shared a celebratory video.

The caption perfectly captured the moment: “Our dream collab has finally landed! @vinovolo and @wadecellars are teaming up, bringing travelers the Three by Wade Chenin Blanc at every Vino Volo location. And we’re toasting to more than just wine – Wade Cellars is all about breaking barriers in the wine world, making it inclusive and accessible to everyone.” From airport lounges to Met, it’s clear Dwyane Wade wants his brand’s presence at premium destinations.