The Duchess of Sussex has released a rosé under her “As Ever” lifestyle brand.
Meghan Markle, the Los Angeles-born Duchess of Sussex — and wife of Prince Harry — is digging into her California roots with the release of a wine made on Sonoma County’s doorstep.
Produced for Markle’s “As Ever” lifestyle brand, the 2023 Napa Valley rosé was bottled at Kunde Family Winery in Kenwood, according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s COLA (certificate of label approval) Registry.
Kunde, a Sonoma County winery founded over 120 years ago, was among the brands scooped up by billionaire Jay Adair last October after its former owner Vintage Wine Estates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Whether Kunde’s winemaking team made the wine or Markle’s team leased the winery as a custom crush facility remains uncertain.
Kunde Family Wines and Adair would not comment on their partnership with Markle.
A royal rosé
Released July 1 on the anniversary of Princess Diana’s birthday, As Ever’s “Provençal-style” rosé was “designed for summer’s best moments,” according to a press release from the brand’s PR team. Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache from Napa Valley make up the blend, which is decidedly higher in alcohol (14.5% ABV) than the French style it was modeled after.
Some spirited Redditors took to the social media platform to declare it would likely be “a cheap, sugar-filled, hangover-causing dessert wine” because its classified as a “Dessert/Port/Sherry/ (Cooking Wine)” on the COLA Registry.
On the contrary, the TTB classifies any wine — sweet or dry — above 14% ABV and below 24% ABV as dessert wine for specific tax and regulatory purposes.
A foray into wine
Initially named “American Riviera Orchard” — a twist on the sobriquet for Santa Barbara — Markle’s lifestyle brand relaunched as “As Ever” in March 2024. Jam, shortbread cookie mix, wildflower honey and other treats were among the items that sold out immediately. Also a bestseller were three teas produced in partnership with The Republic of Tea in Larkspur.
As Ever’s rosé marks the brand’s first foray into the wine space. According to the PR team, a Napa Valley sparkling wine and additional varietals are expected to follow.
If you were interested in purchasing the $30 wine yourself, you’re fresh out of luck: It sold out within one hour of its release. Go to asever.com for more information.
You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Sarah on Instagram at @whiskymuse.
