Yao (Ming's) Family Wines

In the heart of world-famous Napa Valley, California, sits Yao Family Wines, founded by Chinese former professional basketball player Yao Ming. The 7-foot-6 National Basketball Association superstar almost immediately opened his own winery after retiring from professional basketball in 2011.

Born in Shanghai in 1980, Yao was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2002 and retired in 2011 after being named an NBA All-Star eight times.

The company makes wines under the labels of Yao Ming and Napa Crest. The grapes are sourced from six vineyards in Napa Valley.

A hospitality center was opened in 2016 at the same location, offering a bar and lounges for groups and private guided tastings. The tasting room includes private patios and lounges for its Collectors Circle club members.

The exclusive 2014 Yao Ming Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon sells for $225 a bottle, available only through the club and at the tasting room.

Expensive price tags hardly dampen enthusiasm of visitors. The winery is becoming a tourist destination. Maggie Hu, a Napa Valley tour guide, said she has guests from China almost daily, and Yao Ming's winery is well-known even among non-drinkers.

"About 60 to 70 percent of our customers are from China. They learned of us through word of mouth," said Shia Wu, tasting room associate at Yao Family Wines.

"They (Chinese tourists) all have one or two favorite brands (of wine). But if you ask them why they like it, they have no idea," she said. "But I can feel they are really enthusiastic about learning wines."