Forbes Magazine | Almost 54 years ago, Robert “Kool” Bell along with his younger brother and childhood friends, started a band. The iconic band Kool & The Gang is now one of the longest non-stop touring bands in industry. An avid lover of Champagne, Kool had always envisioned having his own brand out of Europe. For many years, he sought out Grand Cru Vineyards from owners that have been selling for generations and decided to work with Paul Berthelot, a Multi-Vintage Grand Cru Producer since 1884.
Kool is quick to point out that this isn’t just another celebrity brand, its deeply personal. “My late wife Sakinah Bell and I created Just Kool Enterprises to leverage my name and likeness,” he says. “We partnered with Olfa and Mohamed Moretta and created the Just Kool After Party to support Kool & The Gang concerts. Although we were sponsored by another spirits company, we knew that we would eventually have our own brand. Le Kool Champagne is an extension of Sakinah’s vision.
With a desire to have hands-on input throughout the process, Kool made sure to team up with a family run business. “Throughout my music career of over 55 years, I have always enjoyed working with small businesses such as Delite Records, K&TG’s label before Universal,” he says. “I like being able to pick up the phone any time, day or night to share my thoughts. Paul Berthelot is exactly that type of family business. Valerie and Arnaud are fast and are able to keep up with us whenever we come up with a new idea or plan. Although their ancestors have been making Champagne for over a century, the Berthelots are still quite flexible when it comes to building a future with Le Kool Champagne.
The French wine estate is in Dizy, a village near Epernay and has operated as a Premier Cru-Grand Cru Producer since 1884. For five generations, the company has been making champagnes according to the traditions and principles of the founder Emile Berthelot. Paul’s grandson Arnauld Berthelot takes care of the winemaking while his wife, Valerie, manages the sales and marketing of their products. The winery has won awards for its organic methods and respect for the nature and biodiversity in the region.
