Château d’Esclans, the leading Provence Rosé in the American market, joins Moët Hennessy’s portfolio of wines and spirits.
Moët Hennessy, as the majority shareholder, will work alongside Sacha Lichine, President of Château d’Esclans, who will continue to oversee the estate and manage its future development, sealing a long-term alliance with Moët Hennessy.
Alix AM PTE Limited, Sacha Lichine’s partner since 2008, cedes the entirety of its 50% ownership to Moët Hennessy while Sacha Lichine cedes 5% of his shares. Château d’Esclans lies in the center of the Department of the Var, on an extraordinary site in the Esclans Valley perched on the heights of La Motte. The original château dates back to before the 12th century. The current château, inspired by Tuscan Villa design, was built during the mid-19th century. Today the estate stretches across 267 hectares of which 74 hectares are planted with AOP Côtes de Provence vines of an exceptional quality. The vineyard will be extended soon to include an additional 60 hectares of vines of the same quality.
Sacha Lichine acquired Château d’Esclans in 2006 and disrupted the wine world in producing very high-end rosé wines. The expertise of his viticultural team contributed to the crafting of top quality Côtes-de-Provence rosés which Sacha Lichine succeeded in establishing as a luxury product around the world. The primary grapes grown on the property, Grenache and Vermentino, are spread across several complementary soils permitting wines unrivalled in complexity and finesse. These rosé wine parcels are vinified in the same manner as the finest wines and raised in demi-muids of oak (barrels of 500 liters).
As a result of this quest for quality, the Château d’Esclans rosé wines and vinification division are recognized as international references and have conquered the U.S. as category leader. Through Garrus, the world’s most renown prestige rosé wine, and Whispering Angel, the top-selling French rosé in the United States, Sacha Lichine succeeded in creating a key collection for connoisseurs of Provence Rosés and recognized with many awards.
Sacha Lichine – President, Château d’Esclans
“I am thrilled by the alliance with Moët Hennessy and the ability, through the backing of this great group, to continue to develop the Château d’Esclans estate. Indeed, we will continue to please and delight our clients across the globe with our excellent Rosé de Provence wines. When I purchased Château d’Esclans in 2006, my aim was to produce a rosé wine in the spirit of the finest wines. Hence, together with the Château d’Esclans team, I created a portfolio of wine brands which are today well known in France and internationally and which are poised to continue growing strongly over the next several years.”
Philippe Schaus – CEO, Moët Hennessy
“We are very proud to partner with Château d’Esclans, the famous estate producing high-quality rosé wines in Southern France. Indeed, Sacha Lichine revolutionized the world of Provence Rosé wines and was the leading actor of their international development, displaying the soundness of vision of a man with strong convictions and values. Moët Hennessy will bring the full support of our worldwide teams to assist Sacha Lichine in continuing this wonderful journey.”
