Brad Pitt and Matthieu Perrin.Photo: Serge Chapuis/The Gardener Gin
Brad Pittwill premiere a new spirit at theCannes Film Festival.
For its formal presentation in Cannes, which kicks off on May 16, Nichol and bartenders at the iconic Carlton Cannes Hotel have concocted a “Secret Garden” cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, orange juice, strawberry syrup and an egg white.
The Secret Garden cocktail made with Brad Pitt’s the Gardener gin.Serge Chapuis/The Gardener Gin
Invitational tastings organized in the comfort of a few very select afternoon bars around Europe have earned it high marks among professionals.
To create the spirit, Pitt and Perrin lured Nichol out of retirement. At 68, Nichol is a legend in gin with over 40 years experience. In 2006 he became the Master Distiller for Tanqueray Nº Ten.
The Gardener Gin.Nicholas Facenda/The Gardener Gin
The advance into spirits marks a significant change in direction — but not the aim of Pitt’s portfolio. In the decade since he and then-partnerAngelina Jolieannounced Miraval Rosé, he has continually expanded production. First adding other estate vintages (Muse and Studio) and then, after years of development, bringing Fleur de Miraval champagne to market.
Pitt’s business acumen and devotion to winemaking, as court records attest, is “his passion.”
Since purchasing Château Miraval with Jolie in 2012 and partnering with the Perrin family the following year, he has steadily enhanced his vineyards and facilities while generating international interest, recognition and demand.
Fleur de Miraval
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Pitt’s flourishing interest has encouraged a number of other celebrities into winemaking estate investments in the region including George Clooney and George Lucas.
As Pitt told PEOPLE in 2020, “above all, Miraval is a wonderful, exceptional estate that I fell in love with, and that I continue to invest in to make it one of the finest estates in Provence. For the wine, I partnered with the Perrin family. They have been winemakers for five generations. Together, we’re in it for the long term. It’s not just a passing trend.”
While the disposition of Miraval itself remains a matter ofacrimonious court filingsbetween Pitt and Jolie, one industry insider tells PEOPLE that “the matters between them will be worked out sooner or later. What will be left will be Miraval. The land and its wine as well as Brad’s knowledge and business sense.”
source: people.com
