Produced in partnership with one of our recommended wine families, Gerard Bertrand in Languedoc in France, Hampton Water Rose has sold out almost straight away on each UK import – not just because of its celebrity connection, but because the wine is so light, refreshing and generally delicious. An extensive appellation producing a diverse selection of good quality and great values, Languedoc spans the Mediterranean coast from the Pyrenees mountains of Roussillon all the way to the Rhône Valley. Languedoc’s terrain is generally flat coastal plains, with a warm Mediterranean climate and frequent risk of drought.

Jesse: My friends and I will go out to the Hamptons at the beginning of June and we always end the trip with a big clam bake. So shellfish, lobsters, oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp is always perfect with some really cold rosé. Rosé is so versatile and it doesn't have that same pressure that comes with what are you doing serving this with that? I think it allows people to be way more creative. Thank you forever for a New Jersey-Languedoc analogy. What did you enjoy learning most about winemaking with him?

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Jesse: We came into it very green so Gerard really got us up to speed on everything. From why the limestone in the ground is important and the rain and the moon. He literally talks about things at a level that even seven years in we're like (laughing) what are we talking about? Meticulous attention to detail is needed to craft a premium rosé wine. And that’s just what goes into making Hampton Water.

All that effort has paid off – Hampton Water Rosé has seen success from its very first vintage. A true testament to its quality, it’s been awarded 90+ points by Wine Spectator magazine for five years in a row. Gerard Bertrand is a family friend of the Bongiovis, so creating this wine was an incredible experience for him. In its first year, Hampton Water made impressive feats, securing a 90-point rating and becoming Wine Spectator’s top-ranked rose in 2018 – making it the first and only rose on the magazine’s ‘Top 100 list’. International varieties are also planted in large numbers here, in particular Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jon: You can go with spicy stuff too. Thai food. Mexican. Or a Japanese restaurant. With sake or beer I might have one glass, with rosé I could have a bottle. I haven't really found a situation where I don't feel great about it.Did you have any initial concerns about Hampton Water being taken seriously and not a vanity project?