On 1st July, her mother-in-law Princess Diana‘s birthday, Meghan Markle released As Ever’s first alcoholic offering: a rosé wine with “soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality and a lasting finish.” It coincided with her Netflix-backed company’s latest restock and more new launches: a $28 Limited-Edition Orange Blossom Honey and a $9 Apricot Spread.
Though Meghan’s business was inspired by the jams and spreads she made in her Montecito home, just like her TV show, With Love, Meghan, the actual production is done elsewhere: the Mail on Sunday revealed that they are currently being produced in a factory about 2000 miles from her Montecito home in Illinois. This week, sources close to the duchess told the British paper that As Ever’s spreads and teas are being manufactured by Republic of Tea – an Illinois-based company known for its round pouches and eclectic blends – using California-grown berries from an unidentified supplier. In addition, the Mail reported that the rosé is being made in collaboration with Fairwinds Estate, a Napa Valley winery. (Meghan Markle’s representatives have been contacted for comment.)
Meghan Markle’s rose wine has already sold out.Photo: As Ever
In an April interview with Fortune, Meghan noted that her products were all manufactured in the United States, but otherwise, details about the product’s sourcing and production were difficult to come by. According to The Mirror, she is currently in the process of looking for new suppliers for the brand.
Though As Ever’s tea bags are triangular, it isn’t a huge surprise that Republic of Tea was involved with the product development for the brand that Meghan started with support from Netflix’s Consumer Product Group. The CPG has a history of partnering with other brands and manufacturers to bring their products to market, and in 2022, Republic of Tea released an assortment of teas and accessories promoting the streamer’s hit show Bridgerton.
Meghan first began to build buzz for a lifestyle brand in early 2024 when she sent jars of homemade strawberry jam to 50 friends and acquaintances. A handful of the recipients, including Mindy Kaling, Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen, shared photos of the jam to their Instagram accounts. At first, she decided to name her company “American Rivera Orchard,” but later decided to change track when she realised that a geographically specific name would limit her to make products in the area. In a May podcast interview with Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, she mentioned that her original ambition for her business was to open a Santa Barbara farmer’s market stand where she would sell small-batch preserves, adding that she had even applied for a license.