Château d’Esclans propels Provençal rosé wine into the international elite with innovation and tradition.

The French winery combines modern techniques and historical heritage to position its rosés among the most highly valued in the world.

Château d’Esclans is located in La Motte-en-Provence, in the Var department in southern France. This winery is located an hour from the French Riviera, between Saint-Tropez and Cannes. The site has an agricultural history dating back more than 2,500 years, as evidenced by the ruins of a Roman tower that still stand atop the hill where the vineyards are located.

In 2006, Sacha Lichine acquired the property. Sacha is the son of Alexis Lichine, a renowned figure in the French wine world. Since his arrival, Sacha has driven a profound change in the production and perception of Provençal rosé wine. His goal was to place rosé on a par with the most internationally appreciated wines and distance it from the seasonal or summery image it had previously held. To achieve this, he relied on modern techniques and an approach focused on quality and exclusivity.

The technical team is led by Bertrand Léon, a winemaker with experience inherited from his father, Patrick Léon, who was also a leading figure in the French wine industry. Bertrand works alongside Jean-Claude Neu, cellar master since 2006. They oversee every stage of the process, from the harvest to bottling.

The grapes, primarily Grenache and Rolle (Vermentino), are harvested by hand at dawn to preserve the freshness of their grapes. After harvesting, the grapes undergo a double selection process: first by hand and then by optical selection. The must is obtained without maceration and fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks or 600-liter oak barrels, depending on the wine. The most exclusive wines receive special treatment with Burgundian-style bâtonnage and barrel aging.

Château d’Esclans produces several internationally renowned wines. Whispering Angel is the winery’s most popular wine and one of the world’s best-selling rosés. Rock Angel offers greater structure and minerality. Les Clans is a barrel-fermented rosé that seeks complexity and culinary versatility. Garrus represents the château’s most exclusive wine; it comes from old vines and is aged for a long time in new barrels.

The estate boasts 240 hectares of its own vineyards and is located in a protected natural setting. The technical and commercial management have ensured that the château’s wines appear on the menus of internationally renowned restaurants and are collector’s items among wine enthusiasts.

Wine tourism is an important part of the current project. Château d’Esclans welcomes visitors throughout the year to show off its facilities, explain its working methods, and offer guided tastings. The visit provides an insight into both the site’s ancient history and the modern processes that have made the château a world leader in rosé wines.

The transformation driven by Sacha Lichine responds to an international trend toward exclusive products and differentiated experiences within the wine industry. The commercial and media success achieved by Château d’Esclans has influenced other Provençal wineries, which have followed suit to improve their processes and position their wines in international markets.

The case of Château d’Esclans shows how a combination of historical tradition, technical innovation, and entrepreneurial vision can change the perception of a specific type of wine. This commitment to quality has allowed Provençal rosé to gain presence beyond the local level and be appreciated by discerning consumers in different countries.