Carmelo Anthony Celebrates 40th Birthday and Mondavi Wine Partnership in New York City

Carmelo Anthony celebrated his 40th birthday with a toast to his newest brand, a joint venture between the Lakers alum, his co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate wine brand Asani Swann and Robert Mondavi Winery.

Inside the lush atmosphere of The Nines, a speakeasy bar and lounge in New York City, Anthony was all smiles for the launch of his passion project three years in the making. He and Swann first introduced VII(N) The Seventh Estate, their global estate brand, in 2022. Their first wine in collaboration with Robert Mondavi Winery, Ode to Soul—a bold dry red wine—launched this week.

Rocking a brown monochrome look, the basketball great clinked glasses with friends and VIP guests who dined on canapés and sipped on Mondavi wines. Around 8 p.m., Anthony stood before the crowd to share why this partnership means so much to him.

"My wine journey started over a decade ago, with me really getting into the game and trying to understand the game, putting boots on the ground and really educating myself and listening to people who set the tone for me to be in this industry," he shared with the crowd.

He also talked about the significance of him, a Black man in America, celebrating his 40th birthday. "Where I come from, we don't, we don't [always] reach this milestone...I just want to say salute and when in doubt, 'stay Melo.'"

Guests enjoyed a lively evening of R&B and jazz favorites from soul singer Chevy Chevis and her band Chevy Chevis Entertainment . They also enjoyed an incredible birthday cake for Anthony, specially crafted into the shape of a bottle of Ode to Soul.

Ode to Soul is available for purchase exclusively at Robert Mondavi Winery’s Arch & Tower lounge in downtown Napa, California, and online at robertmondaviwinery.com .