Professional Sports Teams Are Betting On Bubbles
J Vineyards is the official sparkling wine of the Golden State Valkyries.
It wasn't so long ago that beer or not-so-good wine were the only options at sports games. While craft beer, hard cider and hard seltzers started changing the experience and opening up the door for those fans who didn't exactly love the drink selections of yesteryear, there was truly a gap in there for drinkers who loved a quality wine.
Now, professional sports teams around the nation are looking to bubbly as their next big offering in beverage. Case-in-point: The New York Mets is now working with Korbel both on sparkling offerings and a new cocktail, the MetsMosa, while J Vineyards & Winery was recently named the official sparkling wine of WNBA's Golden State Valkyries.
And it makes sense—not everyone wants to drink beer at a sports game—but adding sparkling wine to the lineup is indicative of a bigger siping trend. While the rest of the wine market has been struggling, sparkling wine has been a bright spot. Consumers have been drinking more of it more often instead of saving it for a special occasion.
Korbel has teamed up with the New York Mets to serve both its sparkling wine and a MetsMosa cocktail for the 2025 season.
'There is a growing trend among consumers to enjoy premium beverages in various settings, including sports events. Offering sparkling wine, which now ranks in the top 10 choices for fans, elevates the experience, making it feel special and luxurious,' says Evan Karoutsos, general manager at Citi Field for Aramark Sports and Entertainment.
Add to it the feeling of celebration that sparkling wine has and it is a winning combination for any sports fan, especially those Gen Z sports fans.
'We're seeing Gen Z completely redefine how and when bubbles are enjoyed. Sparkling wine is no longer reserved for special occasions—it's become an everyday, any-reason, any-season kind of sip that fits seamlessly into their active, on-the-go lifestyle,' says Neel Amin, Korbel Manager—East.
And when it comes to pairing a drink with a sports game snack, it may seem that sparkling options may not bring the sports vibe. But, bubbles pairs notably well with all of the standard foods one looks forward to at a game, like burgers, fries, chicken fingers and popcorn, adds Amin. So well, in fact, it may be replicated at home all season long.
But outside of elevating the food and beverage programs, bringing bubbly on board has a deeper meaning for both teams. Nicole Hitchcock, head winemaker at J Vineyards & Winery, explains that the synergy between the winery and the new WNBA team has been a winning combination already. She says the Valkyries share the commitment to supporting talented women across industries and the two are thrilled to partner and shift the narrative around what's possible when women are given the platform to excel.
'Sparkling wine is a natural fit for celebrating milestones. With this being the Valkyries inaugural season, and the excitement for women's sports at an all-time high, the partnership seems intuitive,' Hitchcock says.
Both the J Vineyards & Winery Cuvée 20 and the Brut Rosé will be offered at Valkyries games this season.
Karoutsos explains that Citi Field chose to work with Korbel as the name recognition in the sparkling wine category is 'unparalleled.'
'We felt like it gave the fans at Citi Field the opportunity to celebrate with a brand they know and love,' he says. But there is another reason; last year, the team celebrated its National League Division Series win with Korbel, something they hope to repeat in this season.
Korbel will be available for the 2025 season by the carafe (with two IDs), by the glass and in the MetsMosa, a cocktail made with orange juice and Chambord with a Korbel topper. It will be available Metropolitan Market during all day games and in the suites.
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