Though the Famille Perrin is still a relatively obscure name for many American wine drinkers, their iconic creation—Miraval Rosé—has gained significant recognition and developed a loyal following in the U.S. The rosé, produced in collaboration with actor Brad Pitt, has not only earned praise but also helped redefine the rosé category. While the project benefits from Pitt’s fame, it is firmly rooted in the expertise of the Perrin family, whose five generations of winemaking knowledge guide the production at Château Miraval. The partnership between the Perrins and Pitt has grown over the years, with the 2020 launch of Fleur de Miraval, a rosé champagne created in collaboration with the prestigious Champagne house Pierre Péters. More recently, the duo has expanded their collaboration into the world of spirits with the creation of The Gardener Gin, a venture that pairs the Perrins and Pitt with legendary master distiller Tom Nichol.
We sat down with Matthieu Perrin, co-owner of Famille Perrin and fifth-generation winemaker, to discuss these exciting new developments.
Expanding into Spirits: The Birth of The Gardener Gin
When asked about the decision to launch a gin alongside their celebrated wines, Perrin explained that winemakers must embrace entrepreneurial thinking. “Every year, you create a new wine. Every year, you have to be engaged again,” he said. “Sometimes we think about other projects and wonder, ‘Should we do this?’ Ultimately, we always ask ourselves if we believe the product will be of the highest quality. That’s the key for us.”
The idea behind The Gardener Gin, according to Perrin, was to reflect the spirit of the French Riviera, particularly the beauty and lifestyle of Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco. “We wanted a gin that embodies the ‘art de vivre’ of this region,” he said.
Perrin and Pitt, seasoned winemakers and artists respectively, needed the expertise of a true gin master to bring their vision to life. That expert turned out to be Tom Nichol, a revered figure in the gin industry and former master distiller at Tanqueray for four decades. “Tom is the star of this project,” Perrin shared. “Without him, we never would have made the leap from wine to spirits.”
The gin is crafted using organic wheat grown by the Perrin family, a decision rooted in their longstanding commitment to organic farming. Perrin’s grandfather, Jacques Perrin, was a pioneer in organic winemaking in the 1950s, and that legacy has carried through to their latest venture. However, when it came time to create the gin, Nichol insisted the base should be wheat, not grapes, to better encapsulate the botanicals and reflect the terroir. “It was an obvious choice for me, given my family’s history with organic farming,” Perrin noted.
A Legacy of Winemaking: From Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Château Miraval
Famille Perrin’s winemaking roots are in the Rhône Valley, where they first gained recognition at Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. “It’s a place where we defend our terroir, where we think about the future—not just for us, but for future generations,” Perrin explained. “When you plant a vineyard, it’s often for your children’s children.”
For the Perrins, this deep connection to the land and to time is fundamental to their identity. Their commitment to quality has shaped every project they’ve taken on, including their work with Brad Pitt at Château Miraval. According to Matthieu, the decision to partner with Pitt came naturally after their shared passion for the property and for rosé. “We’ve been producing rosé in this region for generations, and we always wanted to expand our presence in the Provence AOC. But it wasn’t until we discovered Miraval that we found the perfect fit,” he said.
In 2012, the Perrin family and Pitt formed a joint venture to manage the vineyard, focusing on sustainable winemaking practices and quality above all. Their collaboration has helped elevate the profile of rosé, both in the U.S. and globally.
The Evolution of Miraval Rosé and the Launch of Fleur de Miraval Champagne
Under the new partnership, the focus was on simplifying the rosé portfolio to ensure the highest quality. The result was the iconic Miraval Rosé, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Rolle. The wine, which has become synonymous with luxury and Mediterranean living, helped elevate the category of rosé to new heights.
“We wanted to show that rosé isn’t just for summer. It’s a wine that can be enjoyed all year round, at fine dining establishments or casual picnics. It’s a wine that transcends the seasons,” said Perrin.
The next step in the partnership came in 2020 with the creation of Fleur de Miraval, a rosé champagne produced exclusively by the Perrins and the Champagne house Pierre Péters. This was the first-ever champagne house dedicated entirely to rosé, and it aimed to bring the same attention to detail and quality to sparkling wine as they had with still rosé. Perrin shared that the collaboration grew from a shared passion for both high-quality champagne and rosé wines. “When we tasted rosé champagne from other producers, we felt the quality was lacking. Nobody was dedicating themselves exclusively to rosé champagne, and we saw an opportunity to create something unique.”
The result is Fleur de Miraval, a non-vintage rosé champagne made using a Solera system, blending vintages of Chardonnay with young Pinot Noir. With only 20,000 bottles produced annually, the champagne is a highly limited offering, reflecting the commitment to craftsmanship that defines the Perrin family’s approach to winemaking.
Changing Perceptions of Rosé: A Vision for the Future
Perrin’s ultimate goal is to elevate the perception of rosé, particularly rosé champagne. “We want to push the quality as far as possible, not just for Miraval, but for the entire rosé category,” he said. “It’s not about marketing or commercial success. It’s about changing how people think about rosé, whether in the wine world or the world of champagne.”
Reflecting on the early days of Miraval, Perrin recalled how their rosé was one of the only ones featured in Wine Spectator’s list of the Top 100 wines in the world. He also noted that Miraval’s inclusion in Lufthansa’s first-class offerings was a groundbreaking moment for the rosé category. “It helped change the perception of rosé wines,” he said. “We want to do the same thing with Fleur de Miraval. We’re not sure exactly how, but we’re determined to keep pushing forward.”
With projects like The Gardener Gin, Fleur de Miraval Champagne, and Miraval Rosé, the collaboration between Famille Perrin and Brad Pitt continues to push boundaries and redefine luxury beverages. The vision is clear: to create exceptional products that transcend traditional categories and to further the legacy of winemaking and innovation.
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