From emerald Douro slopes to Mendoza’s sweeping plains—here are the world’s 50 best wineries, ranked by wine experts at Virgin Wines.
By Lewis Nunn
Terraced vineyards climb Douro’s emerald slopes, century‑old Malbec vines sweep Mendoza’s plains, and horse‑drawn carriages roll through time‑worn estates. From neo‑Gothic chapels in Chile’s Maipo Valley to submerged cellars in Argentina, these wineries unite cultural landmarks with innovation. To distill the very best, applications were submitted by leading estates via more than a dozen global tourist boards, before being sent to wine experts at Virgin Wines to analyze and rank the world’s 50 best wineries, via a data-driven framework. The criteria? Heritage and longevity, mentorship of future winemakers, sustainability certifications, social responsibility, innovation in viticulture, transparency through ESG reporting, and even packaging choices (see Virgin Wines’ ranking insights at the end of the guide). The result? A global atlas of wineries well worth the flight—from storied icons to rising stars.
Sophie Lord, Buying Director, Virgin Wines, spoke about the final shortlist: “The final line-up showcases those that achieved the highest scores across a range of benchmarks, including historical significance, innovation, consumer engagement, sustainability, and social responsibility. Sustainability and social responsibility carried particular weight—values that have become increasingly vital to the global wine industry and central to our judging process”.
34. Château d’Esclans
Where: Provence, France
Château d’Esclans
Set on elevated land near the Gorges de Pennafort,Château d’Esclans is the Provençal estate behind the global rosé phenomenon Whispering Angel. Acquired by Sacha Lichine in 2006, the château—once a residence of the Counts of Provence—ignited the “Rosé Renaissance” with a portfolio that includes Rock Angel, Les Clans, and Garrus. Now majority-owned by LVMH, the estate marries 19th-century architecture with modern winemaking, harvesting grapes at sunrise to preserve freshness. Tour the cellars, stroll the Mediterranean gardens, and enjoy guided tastings that trace the evolution of rosé.
Copacabana Palace celebrates French charm with the Provence Brunch in partnership with Whispering Angel rosé.
Starting November 16th, the hotel’s traditional brunch will have a new edition inspired by Provence, combining haute cuisine and the most prestigious rosé from the French region.
By Renata Granchi
Starting November 16th, the Copacabana Palace will once again host an experience that combines elegance, gastronomy, and French culture. The iconic Rio de Janeiro hotel will host the 3rd edition of the Provence Brunch , in partnership with Whispering Angel , one of the most celebrated rosés from the Provence region, produced by the Château d’Esclans winery .
The experience, which has already become a classic among the hotel’s gastronomic events, will take place on select Sundays : November 16 and December 14, 2025, January 11, February 8 and March 22, 2026. The setting will be the Pérgula restaurant , by the iconic Copacabana Palace pool, featuring a special buffet that celebrates Mediterranean cuisine.
Among the options, the brunch offers fresh salads, hot dishes, risottos prepared to order, cheeses, cold cuts, antipasti and handmade pastas , as well as a selection of desserts that reflect the refinement of the establishment.
Whispering Angel , the star of the occasion, is considered the world’s best-selling rosé from Provence , appreciated for its lightness and elegance. With a delicate color and floral aroma with notes of red fruit, the wine is produced from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle grapes , grown near the Esclans Valley. The winemaking process involves night harvesting , gentle pressing , and controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks , preserving freshness and vibrancy.
Château d’Esclans wins IWSC 2025 Rosé Wine Producer Trophy
By Gosia Young
Nearly twenty years after Sacha Lichine acquired a Provençal estate with dreams of creating “the greatest rosés in the world,” Château d’Esclans has been awarded the IWSC’s 2025 Rosé Wine Producer Trophy.
When founder Sacha Lichine founded Château d’Esclans in 2006, rosé was, quite frankly. largely dismissed as ‘simple summer refreshment’. Today, thanks largely to his vision and the global success of Whispering Angel, Provençal-stylerosé commands serious attention in wine lists from New York to Hong Kong. Our IWSC judges recognised this transformation: “What they’ve done at Château d’Esclans has been so extraordinary for rosé as a category.”
The IWSC Rosé Wine Producer Trophy celebrates excellence across rosé portfolios, and Château d’Esclans demonstrated a remarkable range. From Whispering Angel – now sold in over 100 countries – to their premium Garrus, the estate showcased what happens when traditional Provençal terroir meets uncompromising winemaking standards. David Kermode noted: Château d’Esclans entered Garrus – a rosé crafted to age – into blind competition. It stood out for its quality, and it should serve as a signal to other producers of the power of entering vintage wines.”
Under technical director Bertrand Léon, whose father Patrick established the estate’s winemaking philosophy, Château d’Esclans continues pushing boundaries whilst maintaining rigorous standards. Their approach combines old-vine minerality from chalky soils with state-of-the-art cellar technology, including one-of-a-kind individual temperature-controlled barrel systems and optical sorting equipment.
The estate also achieved Level 3 Haute Valeur Environnementale certification in 2024, lightened all bottles by 20%, and introduced the first carbon-neutral bottle for Garrus. Meanwhile, Rock Angel After Dark – featuring a luminous bottle designed for nightlife – demonstrates how tradition can embrace contemporary culture and for younger generations.
As Château d’Esclans approaches their twentieth vintage, the estate has transformed not just their own fortunes but an entire category. From a single visionary’s dream to global rosé renaissance – that’s the Château d’Esclans story.
Unexpected Entertaining Pairings from MARTHA STEWART and CHATEAU D’ESCLANS Rosé Wines
As we move steadily into fall and soon after the holiday season, check out some great entertaining ideas and food & wine pairings from Martha Stewart’s Appetizers, her newest cookbook, paired with the rosé wines of Chateau d’Esclans – the winery which is forever changing the rosé occasion with their bold premium rosé offerings.
Though rosé is often viewed as a summer staple, Château d’Esclans’ unique portfolio offers premium, ageable rosés that complement the transitioning weather and fare.
Les Clans and Garrus, two of the winery’s high-end offerings, are made with the finest aged grapes and have flavor profiles reminiscent of white burgundies, which pair beautifully with the fall and winter bounty. Delicious recipes to accompany the offerings can be found in Martha Stewart’s Appetizers, a new collection of easy, yet stylish recipes that fit today’s way of cooking for and hosting events.
From more than 200 of Martha’s recipes, we’ve selected a few to highlight that are easy and delicious for entertaining this fall/holiday season!
Cheers!
Arancini, paired with Rock Angel
Sausage and Cheddar Balls, paired with Les Clans
Smoked Salmon on Rye Canapés, paired with Garrus
French Riviera Nights: A Michelin-Level Wine Dinner With Chef David Rosov of “Palm Beach Elite Private Chef”
Chef Rosov evokes the glamour of the Côte d’Azur with haute French cuisine and exceptional wines from Bordeaux to Provence.
Palm Beach’s most discerning diners are invited to escape to the French Riviera this season — without ever leaving the shoreline. Chef David Rosov, founder of Palm Beach Elite Private Chef, introduces French Riviera Nights, a dazzling new five-course tasting menu that captures the romance, refinement, and effortless sophistication of Mediterranean France.
Designed for luxury villas, private yachts, and intimate soirées, the experience celebrates the golden era of Côte d’Azur dining — from the seaside bistros of Saint-Tropez to the Michelin temples of Cannes and Nice — paired with an exceptional selection of French wines curated for each course.
“The Riviera is timeless,” says Chef Rosov. “It’s the taste of sunlight on olive oil, sea salt in the breeze, and wines that whisper of lavender fields and limestone cliffs. This menu captures that spirit — refined, sensual, and unforgettable.”
THE FRENCH RIVIERA NIGHTS MENU
Each course reflects the classical French canon — refined through Chef Rosov’s modern lens and plated with artistic precision. The wine pairings have been hand-selected to transport guests through the vineyards of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Provence.
Fragrant and delicate, this Provençal dessert closes the evening with floral and citrus notes.
Wine Pairing: Château d’Esclans “Garrus” Rosé (Provence) — crisp minerality and wild strawberry essence bring the Riviera to the glass.
The Experience
Each private event is designed as an immersive sensory journey — evoking the ambiance of the Riviera through candlelight, soft jazz, and the aroma of fresh herbs and citrus. Guests may request optional live sommelier service, bespoke floral arrangements, or Mediterranean-themed décor to complete the setting.
Chef Rosov and his private culinary team provide full-service coordination — from menu planning and wine sourcing to in-home plating and tableside presentation. French Riviera Nights is available for private bookings of 2–12 guests through April 2026.
About Chef David Rosov
Chef David Rosov is the founder and culinary director of Palm Beach Elite Private Chef, offering bespoke fine dining, yacht catering, and Michelin-level tasting experiences across South Florida. Trained in classical French technique and Michelin-starred kitchens in California and France, Rosov is celebrated for his elegant balance of precision, artistry, and hospitality — crafting experiences that rival the finest dining rooms in Europe.
Press & Private Event Inquiries:
Palm Beach Elite Private Chef – Chef David Rosov
About Palm Beach Elite Private Chef
Palm Beach Elite Private Chef is where culinary excellence meets unparalleled service in Palm Beach, Florida. Founded and led by Chef David Rosov, who brings over 20 years of fine dining experience, the company specializes in creating unforgettable, customized dining experiences. Whether at your home, vacation rental, office, or yacht, Chef David and his hand-picked team handle every detail—from menu planning and ingredient sourcing to preparation, plating, and service. From intimate gatherings to large-scale events, Palm Beach Elite Private Chef delivers world-class cuisine and seamless hospitality, ensuring every occasion is nothing short of exceptional.
Sacha Lichine tire sa révérence, pas ses vins
Par idelette Fritsch
Elizabeth Hurley is supported by lookalike son Damian as she’s honoured for her 30 years of charity work at Estée Lauder’s star-studded Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon dinner
By Aggerant Llewellyn
Elizabeth Hurley was honoured for her 30 years as an ambassador for Estée Lauder’s Breast Cancer Campaign at a special Pink Ribbon dinner at NIJŪ in London on Monday.
The actress, 60, who was supported at the star-studded event by lookalike son Damian, 23, matched the evening’s colour scheme perfectly in a pink Rebecca Vallance midi dress.
The Inheritance star added extra height to her slender frame with strappy heels while styling her highlighted tresses into loose waves.
The evening was hosted by William P. Lauder, Chair of the Board of Directors for The Estée Lauder Companies, whose mother, Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the pink ribbon and started The Breast Cancer Campaign campaign in 1992.
It took place in the private dining room of NIJŪ the authentic Japanese restaurant from Executive Chef Chris Golding.
Guests sampled Lanson Le Rosé Creation and Wild Idol non-alcoholic sparkling rosé, before sitting for an elegant dinner paired with Chateau D’Esclans 2022.
La Vie Est Belle à Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel
By Anuja Gaur
Riviera Restaurant: A Symphony on the Croisette
From a humble 1830s fishing village to an aristocratic Hollywood haven. The one-time modest and compact settlement in the picturesque South of France has triumphantly revolutionised its humble backdrop into a dazzling utopia for the world’s finest, glitterati society cliques.
To speak of Cannes without mentioning the Carlton Cannes is like ordering a martini without the olive; possible but utterly pointless, as the most legendary grand dame on the Croisette is more than a resplendent hospitality haven, but a gilded emblem of Riviera glamour and a starlet with perfect posture, all blended together with a cherished Century of secrets hidden beneath her Belle Époque façade.
The Carlton Cannes does not simply exist, it embodies where a stay here is not a matter of checking in, but a passage into another realm where refinement and seduction weave themselves into every hour of the day, and the very mention of its pedigreed title conjures visions of bejewelled gowns sweeping across parquet floors, as champagne flutes chime under the stars and hushed conversations sit held between those who shape the world, yet never need announce it. The hotel is not merely a setting, it is a protagonist in its own story, evoking a statuesque matron whose allure has never dimmed, but only deepened with the passing chronicled decades.
To be received into her embrace is to step into a dream carefully choreographed to enchant, each moment composed with elegance and intention, right from the warmth of her heartfelt welcome, to the epicurean theatre of her banquet table. For two nights, I had the honour of calling this Riviera jewel my home, a rare privilege that felt less like a stay and more like a fable brought to life, wrapped in the poetry of fine dining, gracious hosting and a heritage steeped in grandeur, yet always crowned with a shimmer of modern panache.
It is at Riviera Restaurant where Chef Laurent Bunel has orchestrated a dining experience that speaks in the melodic language of the Mediterranean, all carried by the sapid refinement of fine food as each dish is carefully attuned to wholesome seasonality, entwined with the local markets that inspire his team daily.
The opening act was a Tomato Carpaccio, its slices translucent and gleaming whilst laid out like crimson silk across porcelain as each mouthful revealed layers of sweetness, bordering on the fruity, tempered with a whisper of acidity, finally heightened by a drizzle of olive oil so golden and peppery, it seemed pressed just hours before.
Alongside a King Crab Salad arrived with regal poise, the flake,y tender meat pearlescent, tender and offering a natura,l fresh palate which melted against the zesty tang of citrus, and a cool thread of daintily herbed dressing. The textures were an interplay of firm and delicate, each bite a reminder that simplicity, when executed with mastery, is nothing short of luxurious.
The main encounter was unapologetically indulgent; a hearty yet elegant Australian Wagyu Tomahawk, carved at the table in a display of reverence that matched the quality of the cut. Its marbling had surrendered to the grill, producing a crust that was smoky and caramelised, sealing in a succulence so rich it seemed to dissolve before the palate could fully grasp it.
The flavour lingered to a deep and buttery play, yet balanced by the minerality of the accompanying spinach glossy with garlic and butter, and the generous helping of fries so golden and crisp, they shattered like glass at the bite, leaving only soft potato clouds behind. To sip was Les Clans 2023 from Château d’Esclans, a rosé of depth and character whose notes of peach, orange blossom and subtle spice wrapped themselves around the Wagyu like silk to cool down the richness, all the while amplifying its libertine beauty.
But it was for the dessert affair to play as the harmonious closing sonnet; a plum compote, its tartness softened by the perfume of Provence, crowned with wild, bold lavender and a smooth honey emulsion ice cream, that melted across the tongue like delicate satin. The heady floral notes appeared to rise gently, swirling into the fruity depth beneath, showcasing a concluding composition as fragrant as a balmy Summer garden at dusk. Dining here was not only a meal but a performance, with the terrace overlooking the Croisette and the Mediterranean glimmering away, just like a second course for the eyes.
A swanky new cafe with champagne, oysters and a chocolate fountain is coming to Leeds
By Clementine Hall
One of Leeds’ trendiest restaurants is opening up a brand-new cafe.
We all know and love The Cut & Craft for its absolutely beautiful interiors, impeccable service and brilliant food.
And now they’re giving us even more to love, because they’re launching a pop-up cafe serving up a huge range of sweet treats and in true Cut & Craft style – champagne.
Taking over the former Northhome x Rinse Natural Wine pop-up in the luxurious Victoria Quarter, The Café by C&C will offer guests super fancy savoury filled croissants.
We’re talking smoked salmon served with crème fraîche, watercress and black caviar, or hazelnut hummus with honey & mustard beetroot tartare and pickled veg.
For those with a sweet tooth, their fabulous head pastry chef, Isabella Tokarski-Pudlo, has curated a selection of sweet treats baked-fresh each day.
The sweet treats menu includes giant raspberry macaroons, the restaurant’s famed gold chocolate bar as well as tiramisu, chocolate Biscoff shell, brownies and C&C cookies.
But it doesn’t stop there, headlining the star studded menu is a chocolate fountain with three tiers of melted milk chocolate ladled onto a cup of fresh strawberries.
They will also be serving freshly shucked Carlingford oysters and nibbles including Gordal olives, black truffle crisps, salted pretzels and homemade pork scratchings – perfect accompanied by a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial or Whispering Angel Rosé.
The pop up will be open throughout the festive season, the perfect opportunity to swing by for a pick me up mid-shop.
Château d’Esclans gets big spotlight at Pro Wine 2025
By Denise Cursino
Diego de Kerhor, ambassador of Château d’Esclans
Source: Júlia Luíza Stavracas – TAO PR Public Relation
Photos: Disclosure
Part of Moët Hennessy’s portfolio, the winery moved the brand’s stand with iconic rosés from the Provence region
On September 30, October 1 and 2, São Paulo hosted ProWine 2025, the largest wine and spirits fair in the Americas, which brought together producers, professionals and businesses in the sector, at Expo Center Norte. Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of the LVMH group, was present with an exclusive stand, where Château d’Esclans, a world reference in the production of rosés in Provence and part of the brand’s portfolio, gained great prominence.
More than 2200 people passed through the space, which had a special area dedicated to the winery. Visitors had the opportunity to learn more about his trajectory and taste iconic labels, such as Whispering Angel and Rock Angel.
Present throughout the event, Diego de Kerhor, the Maison’s ambassador to the United States, welcomed the guests and shared his expertise on the region’s wines. On the last day of the fair, Kerhor conducted a masterclass in which participants were able to deepen their knowledge and understand the winery’s production processes, as well as taste selected labels, such as the emblematic Château d’Esclans and the sophisticated Garrus.
For the second consecutive year, Moët Hennessy reinforced its position in the premium beverage segment at Pro Wine, providing a unique experience to its customers and admirers, and further consolidating its presence in the Brazilian market.
