Château d'Esclans wins IWSC 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. 

Congratulations to Château d'Esclans.