Legendary Napa Valley Winery Debuts To Kalon Vineyard Red Wine in Collaboration with Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann

Napa Valley, CA – May 1, 2024 - Robert Mondavi Winery and VII(N) The Seventh Estate, founded by Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann, today announce a new partnership driven by a shared vision to broaden the horizons of the wine industry. A multi-year collaboration between the two entities, kicking off with Ode to Soul as its first offering, has at its core the shared commitment to winemaking excellence and category modernization, blending the legacy and winemaking prowess of Robert Mondavi Winery with the mission of VII(N) The Seventh Estate.

Robert Mondavi Winery is revered for a decades-long, rich heritage and acclaim for crafting exceptional wines that represent both innovation and uncompromising quality. VII(N) The Seventh Estate is driven by a mission to bring new voices into the world of wine, offering premium wines while connecting perspectives and individuals from all walks of life.

Ode to Soul, the partnership’s inaugural wine venture, is a proprietary red wine that embodies the essence of true collaboration between three dynamic connoisseurs with diverse perspectives on wine. Crafted by Robert Mondavi Winery's Chief Winemaker Geneviève Janssens in partnership with Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann, Ode to Soul is the culmination of each contributor’s unique experiences, distinct palate and creative processes. Drawing from the world-renowned To Kalon Vineyard in Napa Valley's Oakville AVA, Ode to Soul showcases a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Petit Verdot. A harmonious blend of rich heritage and future-focused innovation, the 2021 vintage offers a wine experience that is both exhilarating and powerful, yet elegant and classic.

“We are thrilled to launch our partnership with VII(N) The Seventh Estate by bringing the special limited release Ode to Soul to life,” said Euming Lee, Brand Director of Robert Mondavi Winery. “We look forward to expanding our collaboration in the future with new wine offerings, rich experiences and forward-thinking cultural collaborations, with the goal of welcoming more people to the beautiful world of Napa Valley fine wine.”

"We are proud to introduce a partnership with Robert Mondavi Winery aimed to produce incredible wines, prioritize innovation in the industry and foster a more welcoming wine community,” said Carmelo Anthony, co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate. “Our strong and growing relationship is reflected in our inaugural wine, Ode to Soul, and is a testament to both the power of collaboration and our commitment to expanding horizons in the wine space.”

Asani Swann, co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate, adds “This is a pivotal moment for the wine category, and we are proud to be at the forefront, creating top quality wines and helping to build a more inclusive industry.”

Ode to Soul is available for purchase beginning May 1, 2024, exclusively at Robert Mondavi Winery’s Arch & Tower lounge in downtown Napa, and online at www.robertmondaviwinery.com, retailing for $275.

For more information, please visit www.robertmondaviwinery.com and @robertmondavi, as well as www.viin7estate.com and @viin7estate.

About Robert Mondavi Winery
Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with the vision of creating a collection of wines from California’s Napa Valley that could compete with the world’s finest. Through tireless innovation, an uncompromising eye for quality, and boundless enthusiasm, his wines, and the winemaking team that continues to be inspired by him, strive for ever-finer quality, vintage after vintage. To learn more about Robert Mondavi Winery, visit robertmondaviwinery.com or follow the winery on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @robertmondavi.

About VII(N) The Seventh Estate
VII(N) The Seventh Estate is the global wine estate brand founded by ten-time NBA All-Star and entrepreneur, Carmelo Anthony, and his longtime business partner, Asani Swann. Carmelo and Asani approached the launch of VII(N) The Seventh Estate with the utmost sincerity and respect for wine both as an art form and as an industry. The wines within VII(N) invoke the heritage of the old world while committing to modern philosophies of winemaking for the next generation of wine lovers. Throughout out all of their endeavors, Carmelo and Asani are constantly breaking barriers in an effort to achieve equal representation across all sectors for the Black community, and with this venture, they aim to expand the presence of people of color within the wine space.

Media Contact: Nike Communications, rmw@nikecomm.com

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