Wölffer Estate Introduces Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence
Wölffer Estate was founded in 1988 by Christian Wölffer, a man with great creative vision and a huge passion for life. Today, the estate is owned and operated by two of his four children, Marc and Joey Wölffer, as well as Winemaker and longtime business partner Roman Roth. Located in Sagaponack, NY, the estate spans approximately 170 acres including the acclaimed 55 acre sustainably farmed vineyard. Here, Roth produces Wölffer wine using traditional techniques, but always with an eye toward innovation.
For over 30 years, the family-owned and operated winery has consistently created some of the highest quality rosés ever produced in the United States. “In 1992, while the wine world was making blush, Wölffer Estate looked to make the ultimate destination rosé,” explains Marc Wölffer. “After learning as much about the region as possible, [my father] Christian Wölffer and Roman Roth saw an opportunity to craft quality rosé for the French wine drinkers of the Hamptons.” Their goal was to elevate rosé to a category taken seriously by the wine community.
With a mission to carry on the innovative legacy of their father, Joey Wölffer and her brother Marc took over the winery in early 2013. That same year, they introduced the brand’s iconic Summer in a Bottle Rosé, which traditionally sells out each summer. A stylish combination of witty and whimsical packaging paired with a catchy and evocatively memorable name, Summer in a Bottle is the perfect summer drink, transporting you to memories of the Hamptons high summer all year round.
Now, Wölffer takes its quality-based philosophy across the Atlantic to the rosé capital of the world with the introduction of Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence. The sibling to Wölffer’s famous Summer in a Bottle Rosé from Long Island, NY, this new wine perfectly marries a Provençal delicate complexity with the brand’s signature casual yet elegant American style, delivering a European élan and sophistication to this much-loved Hamptons staple. “We stayed true to both regions, which is not easily done,” said Joey Wölffer. “Respectfully taking the best qualities from both the Hamptons-style and Saint-Tropez, this is the perfect destination wine.”
Provence is the birthplace of rosé and with Wölffer’s European roots, it was the natural choice and inspiration for the launch. “Our goal was to make a high-quality rosé in the heart of Provence by absolutely avoiding any unnecessary transportation and moving, or pumping of our juice or wine. Not a bulk wine or négociant rosé but a wine that is grown, made, and bottled all in one hand and in one place and with the potential to craft future vintages,” Joey explained.
The process of finding the perfect partner in Provence took nearly two years. “It was very important to us to find a conscientious grower that is, like Wölffer Estate, a good steward of the land and has the passion to look at growing grapes with a long-time perspective,” said Roth about the search. “Guillaume de Chevron Villette, 11th generation vintner, has pioneered implementing organic and sustainable farming practices and strives for perfect harmony between man and the land.”
In keeping with the brand’s current portfolio, Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence is produced from sustainably farmed fruit, grown specifically for Wölffer under the watch of Winemaker and Partner Roman Roth. Each of the grapes - Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Vermentino - are picked at the exact desired ripeness and concentration and handled with extreme care and focus.
The outcome? A perfectly pale, light rose in color, with amazing aromas of tangerine, citrus, peach and lovely floral notes that set a high bar right from the start. The lively and vibrant fruit is prevalent all the way to the long, elegant finish with classic salinity. Refreshing with great esprit and a wonderful structure and texture, this new rosé is amazingly versatile for any occasion. Roth’s expert blending techniques achieve this classically Provence profile. Roth illustrates what distinguishes Wölffer’s two rosés from one another. “While Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence and Summer in a Bottle Long Island share the same name and similar bottle design, they are different and distinctly true to their regions. One is near the Cote Azur and the other close to the Atlantic. Summer in a Bottle Rosé Côtes de Provence is classically Provencal, fragrant and lively, with great minerality and a delicious saltiness.”
Wölffer has always been a part of the small community who understood dry and well made French rosé. Joey, Marc and Roman describe Summer in a Bottle Côtes de Provence’s launch as a marriage that was destined to happen. “Now, after 30+ years of making delicious Hamptons Rosé, we are fulfilling our dreams of making Summer in a Bottle in the birthplace of rosé.”