By Mallory Gantenberg

news@kykernel.com

Tayshaun Prince, former UK basketball player, has released a new wine bottle of Kentucky Blue Riesling to partner up with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to prevent child obesity.

Prince, a professional basketball player for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, teamed up with KDA and Agriculture Commissioner James Comer for the Eat to Win “Healthy Habits” program, according to Kentuckywine.com.

Eat to Win encourages children to eat fruits and vegetablesto prevent obesity. It creates a fun interactive way of living healthy lifestyles for children. The program has a goal to prevent obesity and diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37 percent of Kentucky youth are either obese or overweight. And only 13.2 percent of Kentucky youth eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day.

The national average is 21.4 percent. Ben O’Daniel is the winemaker and manager of Elk Creek Vineyards where Prince’s bottle can be bought. O’Daniel said 21,000 bottles will be sold as a limited edition in honor of Prince’s UK jersey number 21.

While at UK, Prince won the SEC Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player award. The True Blue Signature Series wine bottle will sell for $21 and six dollars of the profit from each bottle will go to Eat to Win. Sept. 21 was the opening for the release at three different Elk Creek Winery locations. Prince came to sign bottles and represent the KDA program.

“It was a big turnout and several cases were sold,” O’Daniel said.

“I think it is very admirable of him to get involved and be a role model for kids,” student Evie Cheatham said “I also want to do my part, so I would gladly purchase another bottle and share with my friends.”

Elk Creek Winery in Owenton, Ky., is the largest winery in the state. It was opened in 2003 by owner Curtis Sigretto and managed by the primary winemaker, O’Daniel. It sells a wide variety of award winning wines and also has bed and breakfast lodging.

“Some of the grapes were grown in Kentucky,” O’Daniel said. “The Riesling was produced here in Kentucky, a special blend. I’d say about 60-70 percent of the grapes are Kentucky fruit.”

This Kentucky produced wine can be bought at all of the retail locations as well on their website, www.elkcreekvineyards.com.

“I have actually never heard of it, but I would probably buy it if I knew about it,” student Tristan Santor said. “I’m not really a wine-drinker but I would put it on my shelf. It’s great philanthropy especially since obesity is so high and worrisome.”

As for the future, O’Daniel said several cases of Prince’s bottle were sold and they just keep selling.

“The proceeds for Eat to Win should continue to be successful,” O’Daniel said.