Chatham is feeling a touch like the French Riviera this summer thanks to a new French rosé that landed on its shores. The oceanfront resort Chatham Bars Inn recently introduced its own private-lavel rosé from French wine estate Ultimate Provence. The exclusive wine is flowing all summer long and available to all 21-plus visitors, whether or not a stay at the luxury property is in the cards for you during Cape Cod’s quintessential season.
The partnership with Ultimate Provence was more than a year in the making, says CBI food and beverage director Phil Amidon. After a year-long search for authentic French rosé, CBI found it in La Garde-Freinet, on the largest nature reserve in France, near Saint Tropez in southern Provence. The area has schist soil, which is quite conducive to growing syrah grapes that make robust rosé.
“We wanted five-star quality, and something not everyone already knows about. Something up-and-coming that people are still drawn to,” Amidon says. “We were pretty blown away by Ultimate Provence. We were there through the entire process from grape to pressing to before fermentation to actual finished product, and it’s incredible.”
With a perfume bottle-inspired design, the rosé looks the part—very modern and luxurious with a discrete label on top.
Anyone can sip the rosé at any of CBI’s restaurants and bars. (Only poolside ordering is reserved for hotel guests.) It’s a syrah-forward blend with a nice citrusy note that makes it pair well with seafood, fish and barbecue. Find it on the wine lists at the alfresco Beach House Grill and the elegant STARS restaurant, which both offer panoramic sea views. It will also be available from the property’s new Beach Lawn food truck, which debuts in July; and added to dishes at Sacred Cod tavern; say, splashed on top of oysters.
Events throughout the summer at Chatham Bars Inn will also showcase the special pour. New Farm-to-Sea Dinners begin in July and continue in August on the property’s south lawn, featuring ingredients from Chatham Bars Inn Farm, an eight-acre, year-round farm located down the road from the hotel. The inn’s weekly Farm Dinner series also continues this summer, as well as private clambakes on the beach.
About two hours from Boston (traffic willing), Chatham Bars Inn is a deluxe Cape Cod escape dating back to 1914 that offers a private beach, year-round social events and a host of relaxing wellness treatments. The property is no stranger to sumptuous bar offerings; the private label rosé joins a menu that’s also home to rare high-end bottles.
One thing’s certain: There’s no better time than peak summer to indulge on Cape Cod.