Cape Bleue Rosé, a blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre grown along the windswept Provençal coast, was recently awarded Wine of the Year – France and Wine of the Year – By the Glass at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards. For Jean‑Luc Colombo Wines, this is a signal that the rosé resonates where it counts most: with industry professionals who understand what drinkers want in their glass.

In this conversation, Claire Henderson Berrutti, Export Director for Jean‑Luc Colombo Wines and González Byass USA, reflects on what the recognition means, how Cape Bleue fits into the broader U.S. strategy, and why the brand’s roots in dry farming and Mediterranean terroir matter more than ever. From shelf talkers to sommelier events and coast‑to‑coast placements, she outlines a clear path: one built not just on awards, but on relationships, education, and staying present in the markets that matter.

Image: Mediterranean terroir and Jean-Luc Colombo Rose Cape Bleue.

Cape Bleue Rosé just claimed two prestigious titles at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards. How is Jean‑Luc Colombo Wines positioning this triumph in your marketing campaigns—for both off‑trade and on‑premise channels—and how will you leverage it throughout the year?

These accolades are a great achievement and extremely useful for the on-premise, specifically as they are judged by professionals who currently work in the industry and know what consumers are looking for.

The accolades will be communicated in all of our brand communication, and we have already produced shelf talkers and sell sheets.

Image: Jean-Luc Colombo Rose Cape Bleue" named Wine of the Year & " Wine of the Year by the Glass" and "Wine of the Year France" at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

With González Byass USA serving as your official importer since February 2025, can you outline your approach to launching Cape Bleue in the U.S.? Which regions, retail chains, or restaurant groups are key targets?

Cape Bleue is a great wine at a great price point, which has a place in many channels, both on and off-premise. GBUSA will, of course, be targeting the large nationwide chains; however, they work closely with smaller, more regional chains as well and have had great success in the past. In addition, this wine is a great BTG option; we already have it listed in a number of on-premise accounts and hope to expand in the coming months as we go into summer.

GBUSA has nationwide coverage, so we have a great opportunity for growth.

How are you working with importers to manage inventory turn, engagement with on‑premise venues, and promotional planning?

We have a close relationship with GBUSA and are in constant contact with regard to inventory and planning. In addition, we come to the market often to work with the GBUSA sales team, distributors, and final customers. We believe education is important, and we also love carrying out events with our wines. At the end of the day, wines are to be enjoyed with good food and good company. We have been visiting the US for many years and have a lot of contacts, which we work hard to maintain.

Cape Bleue blends Syrah and Mourvèdre grown on vineyard sites overlooking the Mediterranean. How do these varieties and that coastal terroir manifest in the wine’s structure, aromatics, and palate? Why does this rosé stand as a particularly good ambassador for typical Provençal terroir?

Terroir is love. Aromas: Garrigue, thyme, fennel, iodine, the sea inside the bottle.

This rosé is a true reflection of our coastal terroir, a breath of fresh air in the heart of the garrigue. Its aromatic freshness blends iodine notes from the nearby sea with typical garrigue aromas of wild thyme, white pepper, mandarin orange, and a hint of aniseed.

On the palate, the texture is fluid and crisp, with a lovely tension and deliciousness.

Syrah, a grape variety with structure, contributes colour, liveliness, and aromas of red berries and spices. It forms the backbone of the wine.

Mourvèdre, historically present, is gradually being reduced in favour of Counoise, a more confidential grape variety.

Counoise is a late-ripening grape variety, perfectly suited to Mediterranean conditions: low in alcohol, with light tannins, it produces very drinkable, fresh, fruity wines, with a supple structure that perfectly matches the spirit of rosé for pleasure and gastronomy.

In 2022, we even launched a 100% Counoise cuvée, a light, clear, and fresh red! "We've also launched a 100% Counoise rosé: Lili Jolie.

Image: Syrah vines in Jean‑Luc Colombo’s Cornas vineyards.

Jean‑Luc Colombo is known for sustainable viticulture in the Provençal. Could you share more about your estate practices—organic, biodynamic, or regenerative? Specifically, how do they contribute to the wine’s flavour, environmental resilience, and long-term quality?

Jean-Luc Colombo is at the forefront of an innovative dry farming project. This approach involves cultivating vineyards without irrigation, which encourages deep root growth and enhances the resilience of the vines. By avoiding irrigation, the vines are able to access natural soil moisture and nutrients, leading to more concentrated and expressive fruit. For our family, living in harmony with nature is not an option; it's a given. Respecting the balance of nature and encouraging biodiversity are the cornerstones of our commitment.

We practise organic viticulture, which strengthens the energy of the soil, the resilience of the plant and the expression of the terroir in the wine, encouraging the natural balance between soil, plant, climate and the surrounding ecosystem (fauna, flora)

But beyond the label, we actively campaign for regenerative practices, particularly through dry farming (cultivation without irrigation). This is an approach that we have been developing for several years, and which we are stepping up in the face of the challenges of climate change.

Today, many vineyards are installing irrigation systems, which we consider to be a strategic and environmental mistake. Watering the vines means “doping” them: you increase yields artificially, but at the cost of concentration, balance, and alcohol levels... and above all, you lose the mark of the vintage!

In our vineyards, not a single drop of artificial water touches the vines. Water is a rare resource that we absolutely must preserve. It is also this choice that guarantees sincere wines, marked by their terroir, balanced and sustainable over time.

Image: Pruning the vines - removing all buds or cutting off unwanted branches, then attaching the branches to the echalas with rattan.

What type of support do you provide to sommeliers and beverage directors—such as menu training, tasting events, or creative pairing suggestions—to drive consistent by‑the‑glass rotations and higher sell‑through?

As mentioned above, we are in the market often and regularly carry out education and events. In addition, GBUSA has a number of people on the ground who are constantly promoting our wines and supporting with education, events, selling materials, etc.

Have you secured placement in any notable restaurants, hotels, or group accounts yet? What criteria do you use to select on‑premise partners, and how do you envision working with them over the next year?

GBUSA has been working hard to move the brand to their distributor network over the last few months and also set up in new markets. They are maintaining current listings and constantly exploring new opportunities. In addition, we have a broker who is actively working on on-premise opportunities for all of our wines.

What promotional tools—digital marketing, social media, label/tasting stickers, sommelier events—are being deployed? Are there upcoming campaigns aligned with the summer season or award recognition?

We have social media, which is currently in French. However, we have the option of US-specific campaigns in the future. We have many options of traditional marketing tools such as shelftalkers, neckers, sell sheets, etc. Our biggest asset is Jean-Luc himself. As mentioned, he comes to the market often and is constantly meeting with somms, buyers, chefs, etc, in order to educate and promote his wines and to enjoy a glass and a nice meal together.

Image: Jean-Luc Colombo, founder and winemaker of Jean‑Luc Colombo Wines.

Claire, in your role overseeing North American markets, what are your key goals for visibility and volume growth in the next 12 months? How do you tailor your strategy for different U.S. regions—from coast to coast?

As we only took over the brand in February, our main priority has been maintaining existing listings and placements. We have the brand nationwide with SGWS and therefore have great reach and access to the market. In addition, we have our own team located in strategic markets across the US. We see a great opportunity with all the Jean Luc Colombo wines. It is a very diverse portfolio with great quality throughout, allowing us to touch different segments of the market.  We look forward to great growth over the next 12 months.  

Conclusion:

While the awards provide a welcome spotlight, Claire Henderson Berrutti makes it clear that the real work lies in the everyday: nurturing distributor relationships, ensuring sommeliers feel supported, and staying close to the people pouring and drinking the wine. With Cape Bleue now in the hands of a seasoned importer and backed by a winemaker who prefers conversation over slogans, the team isn’t just chasing sales—they’re building presence with intention. And in today’s crowded rosé landscape, that may be what sets them apart.

Header Image: (L-R) Jean-Luc Colombo, Anne Colombo, and Laure Colombo.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network

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