At the heart of Provence, beneath the Provençal sun and amid whispering olive trees, Château d’Esclans redefined the global perception of rosé. Located north of Saint-Tropez, in the hinterlands of La Motte, this 19th-century estate rose to prominence under the stewardship of Sacha Lichine, who acquired the property in 2006 with a singular vision: to craft rosé with the gravitas and precision of fine wine.

The estate’s old-vine Grenache — some over 80 years of age — anchors its identity. Grown on clay-limestone soils at elevation, these vines yield grapes of remarkable intensity and freshness. Alongside Grenache, varieties such as Cinsault, Syrah, Vermentino, and Mourvèdre are woven into blends that reflect both terroir and intention. Harvesting is done at night to preserve acidity, and rigorous sorting ensures purity from vine to vat.

Vinification at Château d’Esclans is marked by innovation and refinement. While stainless steel is used for certain cuvées to retain crisp aromatics, the estate is distinguished by its use of oak — rare in rosé — to elevate structure and complexity. Barrel fermentation and bâtonnage are employed judiciously, particularly in the premium expressions such as “Les Clans” and the flagship “Garrus,” which undergo partial vinification in demi-muids, delivering texture, breadth, and aging potential.

At the entry point, “Whispering Angel” introduced the world to pale, dry rosé as more than seasonal refreshment. Delicate yet expressive, it set the tone for a portfolio that ascends in elegance and intensity. “Rock Angel” offers greater depth, while “Les Clans” and “Garrus” venture into gastronomic territory — rosés with the soul of Burgundy, the clarity of Provence, and a seamless polish.

Château d’Esclans is not merely a rosé producer, but a statement — that refinement knows no category, and that pink need not mean ephemeral. It is a house that has married tradition and ambition, Provençal lightness and Burgundian discipline, in pursuit of a singular ideal.

With each glass, Château d’Esclans invites a rethinking of rosé — not as a trend, but as a fine wine in full bloom.