Bon Jovi’s Hampton Water Launches New Rosé With Winemaker Gérard Bertrand

Hampton Water Bubbly is described to combine the best of the Hamptons lifestyle with French winemaking.

Hampton Water
Hampton Water, the wine brand co-founded by musician Jon Bon Jovi and his son Jesse Bongiovi, is expanding its portfolio with the launch of Hampton Water Bubbly, a sparkling rosé. And this latest addition to the brand’s offerings is crafted in collaboration with renowned French winemaker Gérard Bertrand.

The winemakers described the collaboration as combining the best of the relaxed lifestyle associated with the Hamptons on New York’s Long Island and the expertise of French winemaking.

“We want it to feel effortless but still have the level of quality you’d expect from a great French wine,” says Jesse Bongiovi via Zoom.

Hampton Water Rosé has seen significant growth in recent years, and it is one of the fastest-growing still rosé brands in the U.S., with a 28% increase in 2023, according to Impact Databank.

This, Bongiovi says, made the expansion into sparkling wine a logical next step. “We wanted to do the same thing in the sparkling category,” Bongiovi says. “It’s about making wine fun, approachable and perfect for any occasion, big or small.”

Rosé sales have stagnated a bit over the last year, and production in France has slowed. But the wider market’s future looks rosier down the line. The global rosé wine market was valued at $3.5 billion in 2023, according to Cognitive Market Research, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.60% from 2023 to 2030.

The sparkling rosé category can often be seen as formal or reserved for special celebrations, but Hampton Water aims to change that perception with this new release. The goal, according to Bongiovi, is to create a product that fits seamlessly into everyday moments, whether they be celebratory or more casual.

“Hampton Water Bubbly is meant for any moment,” he says. “Whether you’re celebrating a big win or just toasting to the everyday, every occasion is the right one for bubbly.”

Hampton Water Bubbly.

Crafting a new sparkling wine that stands out in a competitive market was no simple task. Gerard Bertrand, who has been instrumental in shaping the brand’s identity through French winemaking techniques, played a key role in developing Hampton Water Bubbly. Bertrand emphasizes the importance of using grenache grapes, a non-traditional but key component of the original Hampton Water blend.

“Grenache is essential to the character of Hampton Water Bubbly,” Bertrand says. “It brings a bright, fresh fruitiness and adds a lot of depth and complexity to the blend.”

Though grenache is not commonly used in sparkling wines, Bertrand stresses that staying true to the original Hampton Water style was a priority. The decision to include grenache in the blend also reflects the brand’s South of France influence, providing a unique flavor profile that differentiates Hampton Water Bubbly from other sparkling wines on the market. The blend also includes pinot noir and chardonnay, which contribute to the wine’s overall structure and finesse.

“Each grape variety brings something different to the table,” Bertrand explains. “Pinot noir provides structure and elegance, and grenache adds fruitiness and vibrancy. Chardonnay offers freshness and finesse.”

In addition to maintaining the brand’s signature style, Bertrand and the Hampton Water team placed a strong emphasis on balance and freshness. The winemaking process involves careful blending and aging to ensure the bubbles are fine and persistent while keeping the fruit expressive and the palate crisp. “It’s all about balance—ensuring the bubbles are fine, the fruit is expressive and the palate remains crisp and well-rounded,” Bertrand says.

Health consciousness also played a significant role in the development of Hampton Water Bubbly. The wine contains less than half the sugar of leading sparkling wine brands, a feature that Bongiovi believes will appeal to consumers looking for lighter, cleaner alternatives.

“We didn’t want it to feel heavy or sugary, so we focused on crafting a sparkling wine that’s light, vibrant and refreshing,” he says.

Despite the technical challenges involved in producing a sparkling wine, Bertrand emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship while keeping the wine accessible.

“The key was to create a sparkling rosé that feels approachable yet refined,” he says. “We wanted to create a wine that embodies the craftsmanship expected from a premium French wine, but also something that feels special without being pretentious.”