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Jon Bon Jovi and son, Jesse, have created the rosé of the summer

Hampton Water Rosé Celebrates LA Launch At Harriet's Rooftop
Hampton Water Rosé Celebrates LA Launch At Harriet's Rooftop

Jon Bon Jovi's son, Jesse Bongiovi, is following in his father's entrepreneurial footsteps.

The former American football player couldn't have imagined his career to blossom in the wine and spirits industry, but after receiving a gentle nudge from his father, Bongiovi has transformed into a rosé expert. Bongiovi's claim to fame is Hampton Water, a floral, fresh and lively rosé, with distinctive minerality, made from Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Grenache grape varieties. Hampton Water has a retail price of £20.

The father-son duo, in addition to acclaimed French Winemaker Gérard Bertrand, drew inspiration for the beverage from their family's countless summer vacations in the Hamptons on Long Island as well as the vibrant energy in the south of France.

"It's really about sharing the lifestyle of the Hamptons for us -- a place that my family has been going our whole lives. It's about going to the beach and having barbeques and having bonfires -- and everywhere you go, you're drinking rosé. It's more than just a wine brand, it's a lifestyle brand," Bongiovi explained. "No matter where you are if you're drinking Hampton Water it kinda brings you back to that Hampton feel, that Hampton lifestyle."

【ギャラリー】Jon Bon Jovi14

Since its official launch over a year ago, Hampton Water has risen to the top of the pack. Although rosé has experienced 48 percent growth in the past year, according to Nielson, the brand has made pretty impressive feats. In its first year, it received a 90 point rating and was Wine Spectator top-ranked rosé in 2018 -- making it the first and only rosé on the magazine's Top 100 list.

"This isn't a vanity project [for me]. This is something we're very passionate about and want to the absolute best product, and I think that we have," says Bongiovi.

And while Bon Jovi has allowed his son Jesse along with his college roommate and now business partner, Ali Thomas, handle most of the day-to-day functions of the business, Bongiovi says his father's business acumen still guides most of the team's decisions.

"I was obviously very excited to get it started and get it out...but the biggest thing that my dad imposed on me and instilled in me is to always take a deep breath and take your time on stuff," Bongiovi recalls.

Thanks to his father's advice, Bongiovi hopes to transcend beyond the summer rosé stereotype and build a worldwide brand.