Two-time NBA Champion Isiah Thomas’ first experience with champagne was having it poured over his head during back-to-back championship victories.
After he retired from basketball, he discovered his love for the pure, refined, and crisp bubbly flavors while drinking champagne. In 2015, Thomas became the owner-operator of Cheurlin Champagne, and today it is the largest Black-owned Champagne company in the world. This 12-time NBA All-Star is redefining the luxury kosher wine category with the launch of his premium kosher Champagne collection.
This Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee expands the Cheurlin portfolio in the U.S. with kosher Champagnes crafted to stand among the world’s finest. He unites centuries-old French winemaking tradition with modern standards of luxury, wellness, and cultural relevance.
The Isiah Thomas Kosher Cheurlin Champagne Collection
Debuting on February 3, 2026 at the Kosher Food & Wine Experience at The World of Blue Hotel, E. Rutherford, NJ, this champagne received sparkling reviews.
Produced in France’s Aube region, the champagnes are made with the first press of estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc grapes.
Once considered a niche segment, kosher wine has evolved into a critically acclaimed category, earning recognition from leading wine authorities. Thomas’s entry into Champagne, the most prestigious wine region in the world, underscores this transformation, bringing cultural influence, authenticity, and luxury together in a single bottle.
Cheurlin produces exceptional Champagnes, including Brut Spéciale, Rosé de Saignée, and the limited-release Cheurlin Thomas Black Label Collection, crafted for those seeking rare depth, character, and luxury.
Cheurlin Thomas Célébrité
Since 1788, the Cheurlin family has maintained the esteemed lineage of cultivating the most exquisite grapes in Champagne. Isiash Thomas, along with the Cheurlin family continues the tradition revering the terroir and adhering to sustainable agricultural practices.
The meticulously crafted Grower’s prestige cuvee is produced in limited quantities. Made solely from white grapes and no added sugar, this produces strikingly fresh notes of lemon peel, oak and a pleasantly uplifting aftertaste that wakes up one’s palate.
This Zero Dosage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut is crafted for Champagne purists and health-conscious consumers seeking precision, purity, and terroir-driven minerality.
“I wanted to create something that honored tradition while reflecting where wine culture is headed,” said Isiah Thomas. “My partnership with the Cheurlin family, producers for nine generations of luxury Champagne, adds heritage and credibility. My kosher wines stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.”
Cheurlin Brut Spéciale
This champagne is a refined blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, offering notes of crisp apple, bright citrus, and signature Champagne minerality, with balance and elegance.
In partnership with Royal Wine Corp., the brand now expands access to premium kosher Champagne without compromising quality or heritage. “As the global leader in fine kosher wines, Royal Wine Corp. is honored to partner with NBA legend and entrepreneur Isiah Thomas to bring his prestigious Cheurlin Champagne house into the kosher market. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our mission to offer unparalleled luxury and quality. By combining centuries of French winemaking tradition with the modern excellence of the Cheurlin brand, we are redefining what is possible in the luxury champagne category for our consumers worldwide,” said Nathan Herzog, President, Royal Wine Corp.
Perfect food pairings include grilled fish, smoked brisket, grilled vegetables, and fruity and semi-sweet desserts. Thomas’s kosher Champagne collection will be officially introduced in time for Passover 2026, when nearly 40 percent of kosher wine sales occur.
