Producer Profile
Chateau d'Esclans
Chateau d’Esclans is producer of premium rosé wine in the Cotes de Provence AOC in France. They are credited with reviving interest in rosé wine in recent years. They are majority owned by LVMH. They are best known for producing Whispering Angel which has created worldwide demand for this style of rosé. But they also produce several other high-end wines in this style such as d’Esclans and Garrus.
The Chateau was formerly a resident of the Counts of Provence. But it was later owned by Jacques Auxile Verrion, who was Count of Esclans under Charles X. The estate has a rich history beyond its modern venture into production of fine rosé.
It was purchased in 2005 by Sacha Lichine. Over the course of a decade, he increased production from 135,000 bottles, to 5 million bottles per year. He targeted the US market, but became popular worldwide, establishing rosé as a lifestyle accessory. He brought in Patrick Leon from Mouton Rothschild as winemaker. Ensuring that luxury and quality were at the centre of their brand.
In 2019, LVMH purchased 55% of the estate for a reported figure of 140 million euros. Lichine still retails 45% of the business.
The elevated site is famed for its old-Grenache vines, most of which were planted in the early 20th Century. Grapes here are hand-picked, close to sunrise. Their top wines are oak aged, and capable of maturing for years.
