Some collaborations feel safe. This one doesn’t—and that’s exactly the point. When Kendall-Jackson, America’s #1 selling Chardonnay and the NBA first official wine partner, teamed up with Los Angeles artist Victor Solomon, the goal wasn’t just to design wine labels. It was to elevate basketball culture through craftsmanship, storytelling, and West Coast attitude.
The result: the NBA’s first-ever co-branded wine labels—designed by the same artist who reimagined the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Launching in 2025, this collaboration between Kendall-Jackson and Victor Solomon blends sport, art, and wine in a way that feels unapologetically modern—and unmistakably L.A.
Victor Solomon: Elevating the Game from Court to Canvas
Victor Solomon doesn’t decorate sports. He canonizes them.
A fixture in the Los Angeles contemporary art scene, Solomon is best known for his Literally Balling series—basketball hoops transformed into stained glass, crystal, and 24K gold. His work treats the game not as entertainment, but as cultural mythology. Backboards become altars. Trophies become reliquaries.
Solomon’s résumé reads like a collision of luxury and sport: bespoke NBA trophies, immersive installations, and a Swarovski crystal basketball created for the league’s 75th Anniversary. His materials—glass, gold, crystal—aren’t decorative flourishes. They’re symbolic. They signal reverence, aspiration, and emotional gravity.
In other words, this is not merch. This is art. And yes, it’s supposed to feel a little over-the-top. That’s the fun-loving part.
Why Kendall-Jackson Is the Right Partner
Let’s stress-test this: why wine? Why Kendall-Jackson?
Because Kendall-Jackson understands legacy. Founded in Sonoma County, the winery built its reputation on consistency, craftsmanship, and scale—without abandoning quality. As the NBA’s official wine partner, Kendall-Jackson has already made a clear statement: basketball culture deserves a seat at the grown-up table.
This partnership isn’t a novelty crossover. It’s a strategic alignment between two brands fluent in storytelling. Kendall-Jackson brings decades of winemaking authority. Solomon brings cultural credibility. Together, they create something that speaks to wine collectors, basketball fans, and design obsessives alike.
That overlap? Bigger than you think—especially in Los Angeles.
A Collaboration Rooted in Storytelling and Craft
The Kendall-Jackson x Victor Solomon partnership will debut during NBA All-Star Weekend at NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, where the label designs will be unveiled at NBA Crossover, the league’s multi-day fan fest running February 14–16, 2025.
The wines themselves—launching in August 2025—include:
-
Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
-
Monterey County Chardonnay
-
Lake County Sauvignon Blanc
Each label reflects Solomon’s meticulous design process, which involves months of research, experimentation, and hands-on craft. This is tactile storytelling—where texture, symbolism, and composition matter as much as what’s in the glass. Flavor meets form. Culture meets Cabernet. And yes, it’s meant to be enjoyed, not locked behind glass (relatable for anyone who’s ever hesitated before opening a “special” bottle).
### What the Principals Are Saying
The intent behind the collaboration is crystal clear—and the quotes leave no room for ambiguity.
“WHEN WE PARTNERED WITH THE NBA, WE SET OUT TO UNIQUELY BLEND THE CULTURE OF WINE WITH THE EXCITEMENT OF THE GAME,”
— CHRIS JACKSON, Co-Proprietor of Kendall-Jackson
“We are excited to partner with Victor Solomon and bring his extraordinary talents in connecting art with sports culture to the look of our first NBA co-branded wines. This partnership is a natural fit as we expand our relationship with the league and continue to explore unique ways to engage our audiences.”
And from Solomon himself:
“MY WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT ELEVATING THE ARTISTRY WITHIN SPORT,”
“Partnering with Kendall-Jackson allows me to extend that vision by creating and celebrating a shared spirit of craftsmanship. My work has included collaborations with the NBA on bespoke trophies and immersive installations that celebrate the league’s iconic legacy. Through the tactile beauty of a wine label, this collaboration offers an opportunity to unite these worlds in a meaningful way.”
No fluff. No hedging. Just alignment.
### Why This Matters Beyond the Bottle
This collaboration signals something bigger than a limited-edition release.
It reflects how sports, art, and luxury increasingly overlap—especially in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Basketball is no longer just a game. Wine is no longer just a beverage. Both are cultural languages, and Solomon speaks them fluently.
For broader perspective on how wine brands are expanding into culture and sport, organizations like the Wine Institute offer useful industry context: https://wineinstitute.org.
Mini FAQ:
A Collaboration Rooted in Storytelling and Craft
The Kendall-Jackson x Victor Solomon partnership will debut during NBA All-Star Weekend at NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, where the label designs will be unveiled at NBA Crossover, the league’s multi-day fan fest running February 14–16, 2025.
The wines themselves—launching in August 2025—include:
-
Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
-
Monterey County Chardonnay
-
Lake County Sauvignon Blanc
Each label reflects Solomon’s meticulous design process, which involves months of research, experimentation, and hands-on craft. This is tactile storytelling—where texture, symbolism, and composition matter as much as what’s in the glass. Flavor meets form. Culture meets Cabernet. And yes, it’s meant to be enjoyed, not locked behind glass (relatable for anyone who’s ever hesitated before opening a “special” bottle).
### What the Principals Are Saying
The intent behind the collaboration is crystal clear—and the quotes leave no room for ambiguity.
“WHEN WE PARTNERED WITH THE NBA, WE SET OUT TO UNIQUELY BLEND THE CULTURE OF WINE WITH THE EXCITEMENT OF THE GAME,”
— CHRIS JACKSON, Co-Proprietor of Kendall-Jackson
“We are excited to partner with Victor Solomon and bring his extraordinary talents in connecting art with sports culture to the look of our first NBA co-branded wines. This partnership is a natural fit as we expand our relationship with the league and continue to explore unique ways to engage our audiences.”
And from Solomon himself:
“MY WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT ELEVATING THE ARTISTRY WITHIN SPORT,”
“Partnering with Kendall-Jackson allows me to extend that vision by creating and celebrating a shared spirit of craftsmanship. My work has included collaborations with the NBA on bespoke trophies and immersive installations that celebrate the league’s iconic legacy. Through the tactile beauty of a wine label, this collaboration offers an opportunity to unite these worlds in a meaningful way.”
No fluff. No hedging. Just alignment.
### Why This Matters Beyond the Bottle
This collaboration signals something bigger than a limited-edition release.
It reflects how sports, art, and luxury increasingly overlap—especially in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Basketball is no longer just a game. Wine is no longer just a beverage. Both are cultural languages, and Solomon speaks them fluently.
For broader perspective on how wine brands are expanding into culture and sport, organizations like the Wine Institute offer useful industry context: https://wineinstitute.org.
### Mini FAQ
Q: When will the Kendall-Jackson NBA co-branded wines be available?
A: August 2025.
Q: Where will the labels be unveiled?
A: During NBA All-Star Weekend at NBA Crossover in San Francisco, February 14–16, 2025.
Q: Who designed the labels?
A: Los Angeles-based artist Victor Solomon, known for his NBA trophy and basketball-inspired fine art.
Vine labels as cultural artifacts
The Kendall-Jackson x Victor Solomon collaboration doesn’t chase trends—it sets one. By treating wine labels as cultural artifacts and basketball as fine art, this partnership redefines what co-branding can look like when it’s done with intention. Open the bottle. Study the label. Enjoy the wine. This is what happens when craft, culture, and confidence actually align.
Q: When will the Kendall-Jackson NBA co-branded wines be available?
A: August 2025.
Q: Where will the labels be unveiled?
A: During NBA All-Star Weekend at NBA Crossover in San Francisco, February 14–16, 2025.
Q: Who designed the labels?
A: Los Angeles-based artist Victor Solomon, known for his NBA trophy and basketball-inspired fine art.
Conclusion
The Kendall-Jackson x Victor Solomon collaboration doesn’t chase trends—it sets one. By treating wine labels as cultural artifacts and basketball as fine art, this partnership redefines what co-branding can look like when it’s done with intention. Open the bottle. Study the label. Enjoy the wine. This is what happens when craft, culture, and confidence actually align.
