Le Fête Wine announced Monday that Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul has joined the company as an equity partner.
The company was founded by Donae Burston in 2019. Paul, an 11-Time NBA All-Star, first discovered Le Fête during the NBA bubble in 2020, according to Wine Spectator. Around this time, Pendulum Holdings, LLC co-founder and CEO Robbie Robinson introduced Paul and Burston.
La Fête became the first wine company to obtain an investment from Constellation Brands Ventures in 2021. Constellation now holds a minority stake in the company. The investment is a part of the company’s push to invest in businesses owned by people of color in the alcoholic beverage industry by 2030.
Paul and Burston also connected over several causes they are passionate about, like diversity in all industries and their passion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“I’m thrilled to partner with La Fête Wine Company and work with them to continue to grow the business and fulfill their brand vision,” Paul said in a press release. “I fully support their efforts in creating a better and more equitable society by helping underserved youth, advancing racial justice, and making wine more inclusive.”
Burston has expanded the brand into 40 markets in less than three years. In addition to La Fête rosé, Burston released La Fête du Blanc, a white wine from southern France, and plans on releasing a third wine later in 2022.
“Chris is a very savvy businessman, so for us, it is really about helping us drive and activate and ideate around culture and sports, which are two things he has his finger on the pulse of,” Burston told the outlet.
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