Meghan Markle is reportedly venturing into the world of lifestyle branding with her new initiative, American Riviera Orchard (ARO).
This brand is expected to offer a diverse range of products, spanning from kitchen utensils like spoons to pet treats such as dog biscuits. Although her initial debut featured two kinds of fruit preserves, these seem to be mere teasers. Meghan is set to concentrate on a more adult-oriented product line.
A significant aspect of Meghan's new venture is her passion for wine. Her now-defunct blog, The Tig, was named after her favorite wine, Tignanello. Reports suggest that the first major product from ARO will be a rosé wine. Sources revealed to the Daily Mail that celebrity-branded wines are currently quite popular. The initial releases are anticipated to include not just the wine itself but also associated items such as drinking and serving ware, bar essentials, and other products related to hosting and entertaining. All these products are designed in a classic yet upscale style.
There is speculation about why Meghan chose to market rosé instead of red wine, given her history with Tignanello. One theory is that rosé was the drink of choice on her first date with Prince Harry. The couple, who married in 2018, have been together ever since, contrasting with The Tig's run from 2014 to 2017.
Meghan's venture into the wine business is particularly intriguing considering her past. According to Hello! Magazine, she previously wrote an anonymous blog called The Working Actress from 2010 to 2012, detailing the struggles and successes of trying to make it in Hollywood. Despite her challenges, Meghan has far surpassed her initial ambitions, marrying Prince Harry and gaining global recognition. The sudden shift from fruit preserves to rosé has raised eyebrows, as developing a wine and building a following typically takes years. However, there are hints that Meghan might be leveraging her connections to expedite this process.
James Holt, a key figure at Archewell, reportedly earns between $225,000 and $300,000 annually, with bonuses potentially pushing his total compensation closer to $500,000. His family owns a winery, which could facilitate Meghan's rapid entry into the wine market. The Holt family's rosé is relatively affordable, retailing at $50 for six bottles. This low-end pricing makes the wholesale cost quite reasonable. James's brother, Thomas Holt, has been in the winemaking business since 2014, and there is speculation that he could be supplying unlabeled rosé to Meghan, who would then rebrand it under ARO. This arrangement could explain James Holt's substantial pay package at Archewell, which has minimal staff and few original charity services or activities.
If this scenario is accurate, it raises questions about the financial and operational practices at Archewell. The charity writes a handful of checks each year and organizes photo opportunities but lacks substantial charitable activities. With just a few employees, including James, a female co-CEO, and likely one administrative staff member, the high executive salaries seem disproportionate. This could potentially draw the attention of the IRS should Archewell Inc. face an audit.
Meghan Markle's new venture, American Riviera Orchard, marks a strategic shift towards adult-oriented products with a particular focus on rosé wine. Leveraging her connections and past experiences, Meghan aims to carve out a niche in the competitive lifestyle branding market. However, the rapid development and potential financial irregularities at Archewell might invite scrutiny, highlighting the complexities and challenges of new business endeavors.
