It has created a juggling act for Frye as he keeps busy in retirement — two day jobs. He’s still plenty visible in public, with a growing media career with his “Road Trippin’ Show” podcast and broadcast work on NBA TV. He splits the rest of his time between his family and Chosen Family.
Frye was not always a wine connoisseur, let alone a label owner. In 2007, when he moved to Portland after a trade brought him to the, he had never been to a vineyard. He grew up in Arizona and said he always had been a beer and tequila guy at heart. But Oregon has a vibrant grapes scene, and Frye started making his rounds.
The fall of 2016 was especially painful for Frye. His mother died of cancer in October. His father died a month later on Thanksgiving. Frye was in pain, and he grieved. Chosen Family does not have its own vineyard as of yet. The company started out collaborating with friendly wineries, and it continues to do that, sourcing grapes from other winemakers, going through their barrels, doing a blind taste and then working with them to create a unique bottle of their own. Currently, Frye said, Chosen Family has partnered with five companies, and it puts the logo of the corresponding one on each bottle.
Chosen Family takes up a good amount of his time. He visits vineyards. He keeps check of the company’s finances. He does hours of calls, and he considers its future. He has found a happy balance among his business, his TV work and his family., figures in when he can. The company has not taken in any outside investment. It has grown to seven kinds of wines, and Frye eagerly awaits its 2021 vintage.
NBA MikeVorkunov Wow I wonder if this will start a trend where other NBA players will start their own wine companies.
MikeVorkunov Enjoyed this. Thank you! I didn't realize that they started a winery.