Her hubby might be crushing the court as a Phoenix Sun, but this Valley mama is making a slam-dunk of her own.
Meet Sydel Curry-Lee, the co-founder of Domaine Curry wine. She runs the vino biz alongside her sister-in-law, Ayesha Curry.
“For as long as I can remember, Ayesha and I have wanted to partner on a project. The inspiration for Domaine Curry came to us when Ayesha was giving a toast to the sophisticated, bold and unique women in our family at a family dinner. The characteristics she described during the toast resembled the glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon in our hands and it hit us – our collaboration had to be wine,” says Sydel.
The dynamic duo are now dominating the wine business, growing their Domaine Curry community and fanbase.
“Ayesha and I love that wine is something that brings people together during moments of joy and connection around a table. We hold a shared mission as Black women to introduce a broader scope of women to the wine industry through Domaine Curry. We want to create a space that’s approachable for multicultural women interested in consuming fine wines and working in the industry.”
We connected with Sydel and got the scoop on all things Domaine Curry… and beyond.
What do you love about living in AZ?
Being from Charlotte and having lived in the Bay Area, I feel Arizona is right in the middle of both lifestyles. It has that slow, friendly pace of North Carolina, but you still have a sense of California's hustle and bustle. Plus, I love the warm weather (yes, even in summer), and being outside with our kids.
What brought you to AZ?
Let’s go Suns! After my husband won his first NBA championship, we entered a free agency summer. Thrilled to be offered a spot on the Phoenix Suns, we moved to the Valley in 2022.
Your inspiration exudes women empowerment and legacy. How does Domaine Curry represent this?
We are extremely close with the women in our family – our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and now daughters. At the heart of the brand is a tribute to these strong women who have shaped us.
The women in our lives have always taught us the value of hard work, the importance of family, and maintaining a strong connection to our faith. When founding Domaine Curry, we were inspired by the Bible verse Proverbs 31 which tells the story of a virtuous, hard-working woman that builds a legacy for herself and her family. This remains one of the guiding mantras of the brand, built into the brand ethos as “Femme 31” and represented on the Domaine Curry packaging as a steadfast, eternally burning lamp:
She considers a field and buys it;
Out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
Her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
And her lamp does not go out at night.
What went into launching the Napa-based winery?
With neither of us coming from a wine background, we’re naturally curious and open to learning. Ayesha and I came together, grounded ourselves with likeminded people, and partnered with Bukky Ekundayo from The Prisoner Wine Company who saw our potential and built a sisterhood bond to change the narrative. Domaine Curry and The Prisoner Wine Company are both driven by shared values and a mission to be an inclusive and welcoming space in the wine industry, so the partnership felt harmonious from the start.
Tell us about your wines...
We currently have three varietals with the 2022 vintages of our Founders Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon releasing soon.
2021 Domaine Curry Founders Red Blend Napa Valley
With the Founders Blend, Ayesha and I strived to push the boundaries of what is expected of a blend and forge their own path, incorporating wines for a smooth, full-bodied blend.
2021 Domaine Curry Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
This bold and balanced 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comprises Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to create a soft, fruit-forward offering.
2023 Domaine Curry Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
A mouthwatering blend from two vineyards, Wappo Hill in Stag’s Leap District and River Oaks in Alexander Valley, 2023 Domaine Curry Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley bring unique minerality, crisp acidity, and ripe tropical fruit to one glass.
What's your personal wine of choice?
Tough question! When it’s hot, I love drinking our recently released 2023 Domaine Curry Sauvignon Blanc (pair it with grilled seafood). On chilled autumn nights, I’m all for a glass of the Founders Blend. Our entire family enjoys drinking our red wine at holiday dinners.
Any insight into your relationship with Ayesha and running the business as sisters?
Ayesha and I bring different perspectives to the business, but our shared mission and values are key when working together.
Ayesha brings her culinary knowledge which honors the tradition of the wine, while I understand consumer-friendly flavor profiles that speak to our audience. Together, we find the perfect balance which reflects our bond as sisters-in-law. Although we have different viewpoints and palates, we are connected by a shared foundation that keeps us aligned in the winemaking process.
theprisonerwinecompany.com/pages/domaine-curry
instagram.com/sydelcurrylee