Weekend At A Winery: Former Laker & NBA Champ Turns Winemaker

BRENTWOOD/LOS ANGELES, CA — With a passion for wine, dating to his Slovenian upbringing, former LA Laker and basketball legend Aleksander "Sasha" Vujacic now runs his latest endeavor — S&G Estate's Aleksander Wines and vineyard in Paso Robles — a family biz with a focus on crafting the perfect Bordeaux blend.

While Vujacic was dribbling on Southland b-ball courts in 2009, his dad and mom, Goran and Ksenija, were scouring California landscapes for the ideal property for a winery — a family dream — eventually landing a Paso Robles locale.

Vujacic's parents, both former professional volleyball players, previously left Slovenia and moved to Italy when their eldest son, "Sasha," launched his basketball career and signed a contract at 15 with an Italian team. The family's move to Friuli Venezia Giulia, an Italian region that borders Slovenia, fueled Goran's inspiration for wines of Livio Felluga — a passion, he shared with Sasha, hoping to someday "make a wine of their own."

"As our family made the journey to Los Angeles," the family said, "we inherited a passion for wine and crafted it into a love that has become a treasured family business."

S&G Estate's Aleksander Wines in Paso Robles is not open to the general public, as tastings are offered by appointment only for wine club members.

However, those keen on tasting the winery varietals can do so at an upcoming, tickets-only dinner, with Sasha pouring, at Toscana in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

The LA-area, rustic restaurant specializing in Northern Italy cuisine, is hosting Vujacic Nov. 5 with a five-course dinner, and a gourmet menu curated by Executive Chef Miguel Martinez, paired with several Aleksander wines.

So how exactly does a basketball career translate to wine-making? It's all in the details, according to Vujacic.

“Experiencing years of success in my sport has taught me that the same path to building a world- championship basketball team can also be taken in producing a winning, world-class wine — both require a deep dedication to the process and a relentless attention to detail at every stage of development,” said Vujacic, who was a Los Angeles Lakers pick in the 2004 NBA draft, going on to play through the NBA championships until 2010, and later with the New Jersey Nets, LA Clippers and New York Knicks.

Booking details for the Toscana dinner are here. The Brentwood-area restaurant is at 11633 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles.

Wine tastings at the Aleksander site at 5885 Vista Del Paso Road, Paso Robles, are by appointment only for wine club members.

Follow this link for more information on Aleksander Wines and its S&G Estate olive oil.

-------------

FOR MORE WINERY ADVENTURES:

• Weekend At A Winery: Tour Temecula In 'Real Housewives'-Style
• Weekend At A Winery: Stop For The Wine, Stay For The Glow
• Weekend At A Winery: Enjoy Wine, Chocolate & Meet A Camel
• Weekend At A Winery: Where Wine Pairs With Classic Cars
• Weekend At A Winery: Meyer Cellars Keeps It All In The Family
• Weekend At A Winery: Add Big White House To Must-Visit List