Recently I met with NBA star CJ (Christian James) McCollum to discuss his childhood, his stellar college career that led to a professional NBA career and now his leadership with his wife Elise as rising wine entrepreneurs.
Childhood In Ohio
Raised by a single mother, CJ and his older brother Errick played every sport, except tennis. While their mother worked two jobs, she emphasized discipline, structure, education, and hard work on both her boys. They played basketball, football, baseball, track, karate, and CJ even participated in music programs playing drums, the triangle and xylophone. This work ethic was carried into getting a college basketball scholarship and professional careers.
Lehigh University
Rather than attending a basketball powerhouse school, CJ chose Lehigh University, a small Pennsylvania school. Known for its academics more than athletics, he majored in Journalism and soon became one of Lehigh’s most inspiring success stories. As one of the greatest basketball players in the school’s history, he met his wife Elise during their Junior year. CJ earned Patriot League Player of the Year honors twice, and famously led 15th-seeded Lehigh Mountain Hawks to a victory over Duke University in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. This instantly elevated McCollum from mid-major standout to an NBA prospect. During the 2013 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected McCollum with the 10th overall pick.
While CJ became an NBA star, his brother carved out his own successful path overseas, playing in Turkey, China, Russia, Israel, and Greece. He has been one of the highest-scoring American guards abroad and won numerous championships and MVP honors throughout his career. CJ credits Errick as one of the biggest influences on his life and development, both as a basketball player and as a man.
Portland Trail Blazers
Steadily developing into one of the league’s most respected shooting guard and scorer for the Portland Trail Blazers, CJ earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2016 and became known for his mid-range game and clutch shot-making ability. Throughout more than a decade in the NBA, McCollum has averaged over 20 points per game, and has earned a reputation as one of basketball’s most consistent offensive players. He has emerged as a respected leader both on and off the court.
During a home game, CJ often dined at RingSide Steakhouse in Portland. I wasn’t much of a wine drinker, but Elise liked wine,” said CJ. “I knew nothing about wine, but I like food.” He made friends with a bartender named James at RingSide Steakhouse, because they both were from Ohio. They discussed sports and growing up as Cleveland Browns fans. “Since Elise was coming to visit, I asked James about wine and wineries to visit, and he poured me a glass of Walter Scott Pinot Noir. I loved it, everything about it.” This was a gateway into the wine industry for CJ and Elise. They visited Walter Scott Winery after she arrived and spent time with winemakers Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon. “We asked them questions and on my days off or on weekends we continued to explore and learn about premium Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.”
They made friends with sommeliers, servers and others who work in different parts of the business. “I’d give them tickets to games and we would taste and learn about wines together. We started building organic relationships with people in the industry.”
Then in 2020, CJ and Elise married after she graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery. She completed her advanced residency training in Portland, as they partnered with Adelsheim Vineyard’s winemaker Gina Hennen. Their dream to create a family legacy, making sustainable and expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines soon were bottled as McCollum Heritage 91. The name is a nod to the year both CJ and Elise were born.
After leaving the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022, CJ joined the New Orleans Pelicans, and became a leader and key scorer. Then he joined the Washington Wizards, and in January 2026, he joined the Atlanta Hawks.
Building A Legacy
In 2021, they found a special piece of land in Carlton, Oregon. They acquired 318 acres in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA within Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Together they are thoughtfully and carefully developing a multigenerational estate. “We have newly planted vineyard blocks, and a nursery program, plus an airstream for tastings and plans to build a future tasting room. We even are getting farm animals – cows, chickens and dogs to help create a true agricultural destination,” said CJ. “We love how this space and opportunity promotes healthy values for our family.” The couple have two children under the age of five, and enjoy the serenity of their farm and vineyard.
Looking Towards The Future
The McCollums produce LIVE Certified sustainable wine that is also Salmon-Safe. CJ’s LIVE Board of Directors leadership promotes the industry’s sustainability movement.
McCollum Heritage 91 Wines
Bringing together a dream team has helped them with soil analysis, soil testing and getting water rights. They began with 7 acres and slowly have planted out 56 acres. “We have our third harvest this year,” said CJ. “We bought some estate fruit and will grow our own.”
Their wine portfolio focuses on premium grapes throughout the Willamette Valley to make their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé and a Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine. Labels on their wine bottles all have an Anthurium flowering plant. “It’s Elise’s favorite flower,” said CJ. McCollum Heritage 91 represents just one more chapter in their legacy.
TASTING NOTES
Pinot Noir
Their signature McCollum Heritage 91 Pinot Noir was crafted from six different sites in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. A wine reflective of the beautiful 2021 vintage featuring aromatics of rose petals dominated by concentrated blue fruits, huckleberry and clove. Each sip is elegantly balanced on the palate with ample ripe strawberry, clove and turned earth minerality. It’s a serious player in Oregon wine, and favorite of CJ and Elise.
Chardonnay
Even though CJ prefers a Pinot Noir over a Chardonnay, he enjoys sipping the Heritage 91 with his wife. There is a hint of saltiness and juicy citrus from this barrel selection from various Adelsheim Vineyards within the Chehalem Mountains AVA, Boulder Bluff and Bryan Creek Vineyards. An aroma of delicate white flowers, and tea leaves complement the bright saline aromas. On the palate is a vibrant lemon, green mango and a pleasing minerality that carries forward along its lovely finish.
Rose’
This fruit forward wine is a successful three point aroma of white peach, strawberry and nectarine aroma. The exciting flavor profile includes hints of pomegranate, watermelon and citrus peel. It’s vibrant, crisp and offers a brisk acidity that pairs well with salads, pastas, grilled chicken during backyard barbecues and sipping during summer pool parties.
Blanc de Blancs
CJ stated that one of life’s greatest pleasures is celebrating wins, big and small. “I love bubbles and my wife does too, so we bought a block of Chardonnay fruit to make our own Blanc de Blancs.” The traditional-method sparkling wine offers hints of fresh apricot, honeydew melon, and citrus zest on the nose. On the palate the acidity and bubbles balance the creamy texture of silky lemon. This wine can be enjoyed with a charcuterie and cheese board, shrimp cocktail, grilled fish or just on its own to clink glasses with a loved one.
These wines reflect the McCollum’s commitment to sustainability, hospitality, and creating meaningful connections with others. From their Chardonnay and sparkling Blanc de Blancs to their estate-focused Pinot Noir, every bottle tells a wonderful story about a couple who met in college and are living out their dream.
