For many years, San Antonio Spurs head coach — and famous oenophile — Gregg Popovich has generously shared hard-to-find wines with these round him.
However maybe probably the most coveted bottle he gives is his non-public label, a small-production Oregon pinot noir referred to as Rock & Hammer that is not out there to the general public.
“For those who do not prefer it, I do not give a rattling — as a result of we do not promote it,” Popovich as soon as instructed a bunch of connoisseurs at a 2008 wine occasion in San Antonio, resulting in laughs from the group.
Reasonably than promote the wine commercially, Popovich donates it to charitable causes, shut associates and training friends across the NBA.
“Glorious!” stated Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who as soon as impersonated Popovich in a passive-aggressive try and coax his peer into sending him extra of the wine.
“It was nice,” stated former NBA coach Larry Brown. “Do not assume Pop would have it some other means.”
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers gave it prime marks in 2015, when he was teaching the LA Clippers. Jerry Colangelo, a fellow wine connoisseur and chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame, likewise returned constructive opinions. Former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl as soon as possessed a case, and instances of it have been recognized to line the hallway outdoors Popovich’s workplace in San Antonio.
Solely 45 instances of the wine are produced per 12 months, which is made in partnership with the Oregon-based Rex Hill Vineyard, the place Popovich was a longtime investor.
On uncommon events, particular person bottles have been auctioned off — an autographed bottle of the 2011 classic bought for $760 in 2013 — and, greater than a decade in the past, Popovich hosted a vertical tasting of each Rock & Hammer classic at an Oregon public sale, with tickets costing $750 apiece.
However, ESPN has discovered, an entire assortment will quickly be out there for the primary time ever throughout a Might public sale to assist the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Artwork in Kansas Metropolis.
The public sale might be held as a part of ShuttleCork, a multiday occasion that is the most important annual fundraiser for the museum, which is open without cost to the general public.
One of many heaps features a bottle of each classic Rock & Hammer produced from 2005 by way of 2017, with a number of bottles signed by Popovich.
Bidding will happen throughout a dwell public sale Might 3 round 8 p.m. CST.
“We’re extraordinarily lucky to have the ability to public sale Rock & Hammer Pinot Noir at ShuttleCork this 12 months,” Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins Museum, instructed ESPN.
In keeping with occasion organizers, the bottles had been donated by Popovich and Michael and Nancy Thiessen, two Kansas Metropolis natives who’re longtime associates of the Spurs head coach.
The identify of the wine is an ode to the quote from early 1900s journalist and reformer Jacob Riis that has change into synonymous with the Spurs beneath Popovich. The quote is framed and translated into a number of languages all through the staff’s amenities in San Antonio:
“When nothing appears to assist, I’m going and have a look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock maybe 100 occasions with out as a lot as a crack exhibiting in it. But on the hundred and first blow it’ll cut up in two, and I do know it was not that blow that did it ‐‐ however all that had gone earlier than.”
The quote can be featured on the again label of the bottle, together with Popovich’s identify.
Whereas Popovich shares it with coaches across the NBA, he has additionally gifted bottles to these within the restaurant trade — together with hand-written notes — to thank them for his or her hospitality after lavish dinners on the highway.
When Mike Blitz, who performed for Popovich at Pomona-Pitzer a long time in the past, celebrated his twenty fifth marriage ceremony anniversary, he obtained a notice from Popovich and a bottle of Rock & Hammer.
When Caltech basketball coach Doc Eslinger, who coaches in the identical division Popovich as soon as did, snapped a protracted shedding streak in 2011, Popovich shipped him a case of Rock & Hammer.
At present, Eslinger has one bottle left.
“Possibly I will by no means open it,” Eslinger stated. “That is how particular it’s.”
