Before playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Sasha Vujacic spent the early years of his professional basketball career in northern Italy, where he enjoyed bonding over regional wines with his father.
“At that time, my dad was exploring the local wines in the area and learning about the diverse practices, approaches, and traditions that determine the quality and character of a wine,” said Vujacic, who currently co-owns a vineyard in Paso Robles with his father and other family members. “He developed and enthusiastically shared his profound appreciation for wine and winemaking.
“Together,” Vujacic added, “we began to entertain the idea of creating a wine that would reflect our palates and express our international roots and family passion.”
While considering areas in California to start a winery, Vujacic and his family discovered a 30-acre property in Paso Robles, which checked every box on their wish list.
“In short, it was love at first sight,” Vujacic said. “Paso Robles presented the perfect growing conditions and terroir for the Old World style Bordeaux blend we had always imagined. The surrounding area and the property that host our winery today also spoke to the needs and preferences of the family.”
Several vintages from Vujacic’s Paso Robles winery, Aleksander Wines, will be paired with a multi-course dinner at Nella Kitchen and Bar in Los Olivos on Friday, Nov. 18, and Vujacic himself will host the intimate event, which starts at 6 p.m. with a wine and appetizer reception.
Dinner starts at 7 p.m. with a four-course meal prepared by Nella Kitchen and Bar chefs Luca Crestanelli and Marco Longinotti. Different wines will be thoughtfully paired with each course.
“Wine brings people together,” said Vujacic, whose favorite memories with friends and family consist of lively conversations over great food and quality wines.
Over the years, Vujacic said he has noticed several parallels between his basketball and winemaking careers, and he often finds the nature of those industries very similar.
“Everyone can appreciate a good win and a good wine, but it is truly the behind-the-scenes commitment to the pursuit of excellence that makes those possible,” Vujacic said. “Hard work, collective effort, and loyalty to one’s vision are integral to success in both worlds. Similarly, wine and sports bring people together in beautiful ways.”
Vujacic started playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 and stayed with the team until 2010. Between 2007 and 2008, he set the team’s record for best three-point field goal percentage in a single season.
He was with the Lakers during two NBA championship wins, first in 2008 and again in 2010, and also played for the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New York Knicks for brief intervals during the 2010s.
When it comes to free time, the former NBA star said he reserves most of his days spent on the Central Coast for family in the form of “Sunday pizza nights,” golf, and other activities.
“My dad, my brother, and I like to golf at Hunter Ranch in Paso, quite often. In the summer, we escape the Paso heat by golfing in Morro Bay or Avila Beach,” Vujacic said. “We also often visit San Luis Obispo in search of new culinary experiences. I used to spend time in Santa Ynez and Los Olivos back in the day.”
Vujacic said he also loves attending tastings and special events at his family’s winery with wine club members, and he occasionally tries to carve out additional free time to explore “the local gems and communities” along the Central Coast.
“The Central Coast boasts so much beauty and variety,” Vujacic said. “It’s a nice, occasional break from the faster pace of LA.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is a card-carrying granny shooter on the basketball court. Send tips to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 17-24, 2022.
