Nadine Lustre’s Maison Bukana Wines Brings a Taste of France to Filipino Wine Lovers
A fan or not, you may have already heard about Nadine Lustre’s recent venture into the winery business. Maison Bukana Wines, which she co-founded with boyfriend Christopher Bariou, traces its roots back to her partner’s luxurious private villa in Siargao, sharing the same name. Inspired by the French wine-making culture, Lustre and Bariou’s brand hosts a thoughtfully curated selection of red and white wines and champagnes.
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Three different Maison Bukana creations are available for wine aficionados: Les Beaux Jours—Lustre’s personal pick—for rosé wine lovers; Presqu'île for those who prefer to have white wine; and Vendage d'été for classic red wine drinkers. While all of these are reminiscent of the rich French vineyard, the flavors are meticulously blended to match the Filipino taste.
“Our wines are from Bordeaux, but [they are] adjusted for the Filipino palate,” Lustre tells Esquire Philippines. “If you try the wine, you’ll wonder why it’s so savory, fruity, and sweet; [so] it’s really different from the usual French wines.”
Another thing that sets Maison Bukana Wines apart is Lustre's personal touch. She designed the packaging of the bottles herself, which is not surprising for the “aesthetic queen.”
“Actually, I’ve never talked about this. For the design of the stickers, we have a graphic artist, and he's amazing. But the direction really came from me, and that’s something I’m very proud of,” shares Lustre.
“If you see the Maison Bukana branding, it has [its] own specific color, which is a blue-green tone,” the actress adds. “But for Maison Bukana Wines, I made sure that [the design] is cultural, easy on the eyes, and very attractive to consumers. [It's] really my idea.”
Just recently, Maison Bukana's wines have been made available in The Marketplace branches, including Shangri-La Plaza; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell; Ayala Triangle Gardens; Grand Eastwood Palazzo, Eastwood City; and Cuenca Park, Ayala Alabang Village. The launch, supported by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, was graced by the French Ambassador to Manila, Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, and Maison Bukana Wines co-founder Lustre herself.
