Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of luxury French conglomerate LVMH, has acquired a majority stake in Château d’Esclans, the producer of the world famous Whispering Angel rosé.
Whispering Angel has been credited with launching an international rosé trend that introduced pink wine to American palates. Its wines are sold in more than 100 countries and accounts for nearly 20 percent of all the Provençal rosé consumed in the U.S.
Announced on Monday, the deal sees Moët Hennessy gain 55 percent of Château d’Esclans, while the winery’s president Sasha Lichine will retain a 45 percent stake in the company. According to Decanter, Lichine will run the company in partnership with Moët Hennessy, with the group planning an imminent expansion of its Provençal vineyard holdings.
“I am delighted by the alliance with Moët Hennessy and the ability, through the backing of this great group, to continue to develop the estate in producing excellent Provence rosés,” Lichine told Decanter.
In addition to Whispering Angel, Château d’Esclans also produces Garrus, one of the most expensive rosés on the market, with an average price of $102 per bottle.
Château d’Esclans joins LVMH’s already impressive portfolio of wine brands, which famously includes Château d’Yquem, Château Cheval Blanc, Krug, and Dom Pérignon.
The deal comes several months after Moët Hennessy also acquired Château du Galoupet, another Provence-based producer of rosé wines, showing that the pink wine trend isn’t going anywhere fast.