Donae Burston is behind a history-making wine company.
Before becoming founder and CEO of La Fête Wine Co., “a fresh, modern, and inclusive wine brand,” in 2019, Burston entered the spirits industry as a brand ambassador. It wasn’t long before he had scaled to promotions manager at Heineken then allocated eight years at Moët Hennessy, launching the first and only champagne bar in the Miami Heat American Airlines arena, Uncorked and Cultured reports. He also dedicated three years with Jay-Z’s champagne brand, Champagne Armand de Brignac.
Burston would pivot to entreprenuership following a visit to Saint-Tropez, France, during his 30th birthday celebration, his website mentions. Many locals were drinking what he believed to be White Zinfandel, but he discovered it was a Côtes de Provence Rosé and was immediately drawn to its taste.
Another catalyst would be meeting the owner of a local winery.
“Being in a chance encounter in the south of France and meeting the owner of a winery, I was talking shop with them and said ‘Yo we should do something and that was the genesis of it,” Burston said during an interview with the podcast “Earn Your Leisure.”
Today, in partnership with winemaker Château Saint-Maur, La Fête Wine Co. produces rosé, white and red wines, per its website. The wine is available across in select U.S. restaurants and wine shops. Customers can also opt for nationwide shipping through Reserve Bar. Additionally, the brand secured a partnership with Delta Airlines as a premium wine selection on the airline, per Uncorked and Cultured.
In 2021, history was made when La Fête Wine Co. reportedly became the fastest-growing luxury imported rosé in the United States, a press release mentioned. By 2023, it became the No. 3 luxury imported rosé brand in the country.
“We’re determined to become one of the top three leaders in the rosé category by 2025,” he explained to Uncorked and Cultured in 2023. “And this year, we’re taking our brand to new heights by expanding in the EU, UK, and West Africa. At the same time, we’re thrilled by the incredible feedback we’ve received about La Fête du Blanc. So, we’re working hard to make it even more accessible to our customers.”
La Fête Wine Co.’s impact is also evident in its support for organizations that benefit the BIPOC community. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold is donated to programs that provide unique travel experiences for underrepresented youth and organizations that offer wine and spirits industry opportunities to the BIPOC community.
