21st March, 2018
by
Lucy Shaw
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi’s Diving into Hampton Water rosé, made in collaboration with Gerard Bertrand, has proved so popular that the entire 2017 vintage has been sold on allocation.
Rocker Jon Bon Jovi with his son Jesse and winemaker Gerard Bertrand
Speaking to the drinks business at ProWein this week, Languedoc pioneer Gerard Bertrand said: “We sold the entire 2017 production of Diving into Hampton Water on allocation this year and the plan is to make more next year to satisfy demand.
“The wine is on sale in 15 countries and will go on sale in the UK in May priced at £19 a bottle.” Bertrand went on to tell the story of how the collaboration came about.
“Bon Jovi and I have a mutual friend who got in touch as Jon was keen to make a super-premium rosé as he loved it and the lifestyle surrounding it. I met him in New York with his son Jesse and discovered the man behind the rock star.
“He spent three days in the Languedoc with us with his wife and son and helped create the blend. It’s not a gimmick – it’s a longterm project.”
To help promote the brand, Bon Jovi is flying in a Diving into Hampton Water-branded private plane during his current US tour. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre, the wine takes its name from the lazy summer days Jon and Jesse have shared during holidays in the Hamptons.
A quarter of the rosé is aged in new oak for six months and the bottom of the bottle is designed to look like coral.
“It was really important for us to get the perfect pale pink colour; we spent a long time getting it right. We use grapes from low yielding vineyards in the Languedoc to add complexity. Balance is the most important thing for us as I wanted the wine to have a long finish but also to retain its freshness,” Bertrand told db.
He also revealed that he was exited to make a “rock ‘n’ roll” wine as he’s a big fan of musicians like Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie.
“This is my first wine partnership and it’s been a great experience. It’s like collaborating on a song. I don’t need the endorsement and wanted it to be a partnership based on friendship,” Bertrand said.
“Jon is taking a very hands on role with the wine and will be coming for the harvest this year and will help us with the blending each year,” he added.