New partnership will bring the legacy French Champagne label to the United States for the first time.
LIVERMORE, Calif. (July 11, 2024)—Wente Family Estates, America’s longest, continuously family-owned and operated winery, is pleased to announce a new partnership. Effective immediately, Wente Family Estates will serve as the exclusive importer for Champagne Castelnau. The move will unite two legacy wine brands, with Wente Family Estates bringing the Champagne Castelnau label to the United States market for the first time.
Located in the heart of Reims in northeastern France, Champagne Castelnau represents the very essence of the region. With 809 hectares of vineyards across 150 crus, a unique grape growers’ collective guarantees exceptional supply and consistently outstanding Champagne. Since its establishment in 1916, Champagne Castelnau has always focused on nuance. The story began when a handful of passionate vintners came together to create a Champagne brand defined by a delicate, generous and distinctive style. As part of the new partnership with Wente Family Estates, the Champagne Castelnau range in the United States will include Brut cuvée ($54.99), Brut Rose cuvée ($69.99) and the 2008 vintage of Brut Blanc de Blancs ($89.99). The Champagnes will be available in select markets beginning this fall and will be offered at exclusive restaurants, luxury hotels and fine wine retailers.
“We’re thrilled to find a like-minded partner in Wente Family Estates for our distribution in the US market,” said Hannelore Chamaux, CEO of Champagne Castelnau. “We have common values regarding excellence, transmission, and respect for tradition and the environment. This marks an important chapter in our international expansion, and we’re thrilled to showcase Chief Winemaker Carine Bailleul’s signature delicate and complex champagnes to America. Our long-term ambition is to seduce American palates and future generations.”
“We are very excited to partner with Champagne Castelnau and honored to represent this luxury brand in the US market,” said Tyson Overton, CEO, Wente Family Estates. “During our initial discussions, it was clear that our companies share many common values, and we look forward to a great partnership.”
Now celebrating its 141st uninterrupted year in business, Wente Family Estates is led by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. This new partnership brings together two brands sharing storied legacies and a commitment to producing the best.
“Champagne Castelnau’s dedication to excellence pairs well with our family winery’s commitment to quality and sustainability,” said Aly Wente, Senior Vice President and Fifth Generation Winegrower for Wente Vineyards. “We look forward to sharing the authenticity and unique character of these unique wines, renowned for their extended aging in the cellars, with luxury Champagne consumers.”
About Wente Family Estates:
Founded in 1883, Wente Family Estates has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the longest continuously family-owned and operated winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, with women leading the charge from grape to glass. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide. The Wente Family Estates portfolio includes an array of consumer brands, such as Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Angels Ink, Ravel & Stitch, Hayes Ranch, and more. In addition, Wente Family Estates is the US importer for Blanchard Perez, Blanchard & Lurton, and Bodega Cuarto Dominio.
In 2010, Wente Family Estates joined the top 10% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes and designation for both their estate vineyards and winery. In April 2022, the company won the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award. This award is given to one winery each year and recognizing leadership in sustainable practices that span both its vineyards and winery as well as the estate’s socially responsible initiatives that benefit its employees and greater community.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards – Wente Family Estates’ flagship estate label – is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, food and wine experiences, outdoor wine & music events, unparalleled wedding venues and The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. For more information, visit wentevineyards.com.
About Champagne Castelnau:
There is a saying in Champagne that the longer the aging, the finer the bubbles. To immerse yourself in the world of Champagne Castelnau is to savor the Art of Delicacy. Castelnau leverages this natural advantage with extended, controlled lees-aging to reveal an elegant stream of delicate bubbles rising in the glass and the champagne’s natural patina and singular character. With its age-old expertise, Champagne Castelnau evokes intense emotion like no other.
“We commence with very young wines and nurture them to full maturity,” enthuses Chief Winemaker Carine Bailleul. “More elegant and expressive, the tiny bubbles draw all their finesse and delicacy from the champagne as it slowly matures in our cellars.”
Champagne Castelnau is part of the Terroirs & Vignerons Group, one of the major champagne actors in the sector. Further to its successful relaunch in 2023, Champagne Castelnau reports revenues of almost 10 million Euros, up 49%. With exports accounting for two-thirds of sales, the future is bright.
