The People
Founder and CEO Donae Burston created La Fête because there “wasn’t a rosé brand that spoke to diverse audiences. When you thought about rosé, you didn’t think of Black, Brown, or Asian people drinking it, or, at the time, see brands promoting multicultural people or men drinking their wine. It was not reflective of the universal appeal of rosé.” Donae set out to redefine what a rosé drinker looks like.
After spending more than 15 years in the wine and spirits industry, working with the likes of Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon, and Hennessy, Donae saw how the industry lacked insight into what Black consumers truly wanted. This was his inspiration when he took a leap of faith and set off on his entrepreneurial journey. He initially faced resistance as he presented his multicultural brand to buyers and gatekeepers within the wine industry. He would often hear that the market for rosé was too saturated, even though it only accounts for 2% of US table wine sales. Despite his struggles in marketing the label, the wine now stands as the only Black-owned brand being produced in Saint-Tropez, France.
The name translates to “The Rosé Party” Donae is making a splash with his success.
The Juice
La Fête du Rosé is all about the fun. It is a remarkably high-quality product delivered at a reasonable price. The blend is 80% grenache, 14% mourvèdre, and 6% syrah. The wine is made by professionals with hundreds of years of history. It is blended for consumers who have a thirst for life, travel and good wine. Enjoying La Fête du Rosé by the pool is like taking a trip to St. Tropez in the summer.
The Dirt
La Fête du Rosé is produced in conjunction with the prestigious winemakers from the oldest vineyard on the St. Tropez peninsula in Provence. Established in 1340, the vineyards span about 150 acres overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with a unique location between the base of the Massif des Maures and the Raphaeloise coast. The vineyard is committed to sustainable agriculture, the environment, and the protection of nature thus the grapes are grown without the use of pesticides.
The Taste
La Fête du Rosé is meant to be enjoyed with friends any time of the year, but no summer afternoon would be complete without a couple of chilled bottles. The pastel, salmon-pink wine asserts itself charmingly on the nose with agreements of dried fruits, bonbon, and hazelnut. It is complex and balanced with a long finish and aromas of cherry. The light-to-medium body has a very mild acidity.
The Spill
As one of the few Black sommeliers in Austin, Malon is excited to showcase this wine for the Blurred Vines family. After a moment of “why didn’t I think of that,” he set out to tell the world about La Fête du Rosé. He is excited to be promoting wine with a multicultural appeal. We all know that summer comes quickly here in Texas so this is a chance to stock up on the wine you will want to serve at your very own “Rosé Party” – which is sure to be amazing.
