Gregg Popovich is a walking relic of the NBA world who has remained as the San Antonio Spurs’ backbone for four decades. Popovich not only commanded the Spurs front office, but also took the reins of the team on the court making him the longest-serving HC in the NBA.
From seeing the likes of Tim Duncan to Tony Parker to modern-day Victor Wembanyama, Pops has seen it all and done it all, except for one thing. That sole remaining thing is auctioning his cherished wine collection.
Gregg Popovich’s wine collection set for auction
Gregg Popovich is finally bringing his private wine label the “Rock & Hammer” out in the open for the public to have a chance of tasting it. Popovich has been a long-time investor in Rex Hill Winery, based in Oregon. Every year the winery produces 45 cases of the Spurs headmaster’s private label wine.
On May 3, the wines will be auctioned, and rather than profiting from it, Popovich chose to use it for a noble cause. The proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Popovich has previously offered the chance to taste his prized vin de table, notably in 2011 and 2013, but not as a collection.
Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins Museum, expressed his excitement regarding the event by saying, “We are extremely fortunate to be able to auction Rock & Hammer Pinot Noir at ShuttleCork this year.”
The interesting logo of a stonecutter on the bottles stems from 19th-century reformer, Jacob Riis’ quote, “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it ‐ but all that had gone before.”
The quota has remained synonymous with the veteran guard of the league after successfully instilling it in his franchise. Popovich will hope to pass on the wisdom to the superstar rookie Victor Wembanyana for whom he had a curious comparison with his wine.
Gregg Popovich rates his wines using Victor Wembanyama
After the Brooklyn Nets game, Gregg Popovich had a curious comparison for the French youngster. Wembanyama dropped a game-high 33 points against the Nets. Speaking in the post-match press conference, the 75-year-old emphasized the improvements of Wemby.
“He’s a multi-talented young man, and he’s going to show us things that none of us have ever seen before. That was one of them,” speaking of the center’s performance Popovich said.
He also added how Wemby has adapted to the physicality and has shown a more solid, disciplined performances. “I only get excited when I have an older French Bordeaux that I was worried it might be over the hill and I find out it was really perfect – then I get excited,” Popovich said jokingly before comparing Wemby with his wines. At the conclusion of the press conference, Popovich humorously remarked, “All of my finest wines are older than Victor.”
Wembanyama has averaged 20.7 points per game this season showing tremendous blocking proficiency with his 7’4″ height, breaking several records in his rookie year. He is already a favorite in the Rookie of the Year award race and is debatably in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
If Victor Wembanyama hits his sky-high limit, Gregg Popovich will most certainly be as delighted with him as he is about his wines.
