Château d'Esclans

History of Château d'Esclans

The history of Château d'Esclans goes back more than eight centuries. Once a residence of the Counts of Provence, the site was used as an observation post as early as the Gallic era to watch over the Gulf of Fréjus. The present building, inspired by Tuscan villas, was rebuilt in the mid-19th century at the heart of an expansive property of more than 260 hectares overlooking the village of La Motte in the Var.

In 2006, Sacha Lichine acquired the estate with a bold vision: to create the world’s finest rosés. He brought in Patrick Léon, former cellar master at Mouton Rothschild, and introduced new winemaking techniques to Provence. The launch of Whispering Angel, which became the best-selling French rosé in the United States, followed by Garrus, presented as the world’s most expensive rosé, propelled the estate onto the international stage. In 2019, Moët Hennessy, part of the LVMH group, acquired a majority stake, cementing Château d'Esclans’ standing among Provence’s finest properties.

Terroirs and Vines of Château d'Esclans

The Château d'Esclans vineyard stretches across clay-limestone hills in the Var hinterland, where the Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing Provençal grape varieties. The plots rise in elevation, and the higher they are, the older the vines: on the highest ground, some Grenache vines are nearly 90 years old. These old vines produce grapes of exceptional aromatic concentration, forming the foundation of the estate’s most prestigious cuvées.

The vineyards are planted mainly with Grenache and Rolle (Vermentino), complemented by Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Tibouren. Grapes are selected rigorously, plot by plot, to reveal the freshness and complexity of each terroir. This mosaic of soils and exposures, together with the estate’s old vines, makes it possible to craft a range of rosés with remarkable depth, from the liveliest expression to the most sophisticated richness.

Winemaking at Château d'Esclans

The hallmark of Château d'Esclans is its approach to rosé as a fine wine in the style of a white. Grapes are harvested with care, often in the morning to preserve their freshness, then meticulously selected. The entry-level cuvées are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and aged on fine lees for added texture, while the top cuvées are fermented and aged in oak barrels.

This careful use of oak, reserved for grapes from old vines, gives the top cuvées a smooth texture, remarkable length and genuine aging potential—far removed from the image of light, fleeting rosé. Combining stainless steel and barrel vinification creates the distinctive balance of freshness, complexity and depth for which the estate is renowned.

The cuvées of Château d'Esclans

Whispering Angel: the estate’s signature, internationally renowned cuvée, from the Côtes de Provence AOP. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle, it captivates with its pale color, freshness and aromatic precision. An elegant, approachable rosé that has become a global icon of Provence rosé.

Rock Angel: a step up from Whispering Angel, this rosé is partially vinified in barrels, giving it greater structure, minerality and depth. More suited to the table, it pairs beautifully with flavorful cuisine while retaining the house’s saline freshness.

Château d'Esclans: the namesake cuvée, a blend of Grenache and Rolle from selected plots, made using a combination of stainless steel and barrel fermentation. It offers a smooth, creamy texture, a long, rich palate and a lingering finish, balancing freshness with complexity.

Les Clans: a prestigious, barrel-aged rosé from old vines, with richness and sophistication reminiscent of a fine wine from Burgundy—a white. Full-bodied and deep, it is a wine for the table and the cellar that improves after a year or two.

Garrus: the pinnacle of the range and one of the world’s most sought-after rosés. Made from the oldest Grenache plots, fermented and aged in oak barrels, it achieves exceptional richness, texture and length. Regularly praised by critics, this age-worthy rosé has redefined what a rosé can be.

The Palm by Whispering Angel: a more accessible, summery expression from the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellation, predominantly Grenache. Lively, fresh and fruity, it offers a cheerful introduction to the estate’s wines, made for sunny days.

The Beach by Whispering Angel: an evolution of The Palm, this light, vibrant rosé from Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence is vinified in stainless steel tanks on the lees to develop texture. Made with a commitment to responsible practices, including lighter, more sustainable packaging, it captures the spirit of summer and offers an ideal first step into the Château d'Esclans family of cuvées.