Tony Parker named wine personality of the year by French magazine RVF

his year, French magazine Revue du Vin de France – which belongs to the Marie Claire group – has selected former basketball player Tony Parker for its 2026 personality of the year award. Officially presented on January 8 in Paris, the award by the “world’s oldest wine magazine” – as RVF describes itself – celebrates the former point guard with the French national team and the San Antonio Spurs. A press release explains that he “has successfully placed his passion for wine at the core of his entrepreneurial activities”.

Eleven other personalities who “will mark the wine world in 2026” were also selected alongside the quadruple NBA champion with the Spurs and European champion with the French team. RVF commends Parker for his “exemplary professional transition from high-level sportsman to an accomplished businessman and expert in all things wine”. Wine is indeed one of ‘TP’s’ many areas of investment. He was introduced to it “by the father of his first girlfriend, followed by his coach at the Spurs, Gregg Popovich, who owned nearly 3,000 bottles of wine and was a true enthusiast”, adds the press statement. “In collective sports like basketball, there is strength in unity. And it’s the same thing with wine – you open bottles of good wine with friends, you share them and ultimately you enjoy some memorable moments together”, Parker commented to RVF.

Alongside investments in the mountains, yachting, horses and basketball, Parker bought Château Noël Saint-Laurent at the end of 2022. Located near Avignon, the property boasts nearly fifty hectares. Parker has invested seven million euros here, uprooting 25 hectares, replanting vines, renovating the building and shortening the name to Saint Laurent.