In 2016, Channing won the NBA Championship playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This huge win was followed by a massive loss. Channing’s parents both passed away shortly after the championship, within a month of each other. During this time, Channing relied on his team to support him through his grief and motivate him on and off the court.

After practice, Channing often found himself at a dinner table, surrounded by his teammates and closest friends, sharing their favorite wines, and reminiscing about happier times. At each dinner, the guys were responsible for bringing a new favorite wine. Because Channing and Kevin both have roots in Oregon and love a good Pinot Noir, they often brought wines from the Willamette Valley — from places like Antica Terra, Bergstrom, Cristom, Domaine Drouhin, Hundred Suns…

After retiring from the NBA in 2019, Channing decided to jump into a new industry: wine. As someone who enjoyed wine on a regular basis, his curiosity peaked once he settled down in Oregon. The Willamette Valley, known for its temperate climate perfect for cultivating the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in the States, is where Channing began learning about farming, fermentation, and distribution. Wine restored in him a sense of excitement and purpose for life that he had lost along with his parents.

With the help of his many friends in the Valley, Channing was able to bring his first two varietals to life: a 2018 Pinot Noir and 2018 Chardonnay. Wine motivated him in the same way basketball had for so many years.

He began to understand the subtleties of soil, weather patterns, and how each harvest varies different yields, just like an NBA season. Every year brought new challenges, but also opportunities to grow. Channing found that his competitive edge translated well into the wine industry – the work was still about dedication and resilience, but now it was in a completely different arena.

When deciding what to name his wine label, Channing and his wife Lauren reflected on those after-practice dinners. She helped him realize that these moments shared with the people who meant the most to him were bridged together by their shared love of wine. He no longer considered these people “close friends” or “teammates” — they became his chosen family.

The name Chosen Family Wines was inspired by the encouragement he received from the Cavs soon after the passing of his parents.

So in 2020, Channing and Kevin launched Chosen Family Wines and debuted their 2018 Pinot Noir and 2018 Chardonnay made in collaboration with L’Angolo Estate. As an Oregon native, Kevin loved the opportunity they had to share their admiration of the Willamette Valley with more than just their friends at dinner.

Today CFW’s portfolio has grown to include varietals from beyond the Pacific Northwest: a Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, and a Syrah from Walla Walla. CFW’s Rosé, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are staples for anyone who enjoys wine from the Willamette Valley. 

Channing’s hope is that when you enjoy a bottle of Chosen, it’s with the intention that you can bring together anyone and they can become part of your family.