The co-founders behind wildly popular and charitable Out East sit down with us to discuss their newest launch of Champagne À L’EST at The Colony Hotel.
Lighter wines and Champagnes are certainly having a moment, and Arkansas native Cori Lee Seaberg—a frequent Palm Beacher who spent 13 years working with fashion powerhouses like Dior, Gucci and Chloé—is bringing a new one to town. Out East, her Hamptons-inspired, New York City-based wine company boasting the motto “You can be Out East anywhere,” will debut its premier cru brut Champagne À L’EST from Épernay at The Colony Hotel this winter. We sat down with Seaberg to find out more about her bespoke bubbly, her wines and why they’re perfect for Palm Beach. 155 Hammon Ave.
Out East Rosé 2018 Côtes de Provence features complex aromas of white peach, cantaloupe and citrus zest balanced by hits of baking spices, while the Champagne À L’EST yields a crisp acidity reminiscent of green apples, along light floral notes.
Why go from fashion to wine? The idea for Out East came to my co-founder and friend, Patrick Mitchell, and I in summer 2017. It was a passion project that took on a life of its own. I wasn’t looking for a career change, but I love that it worked out that way! I’ve had an interest in winemaking for quite some time now, so it’s amazing to see Out East come to life. Champagne is complex and has an incredible history and heritage, which is what I loved about luxury fashion. Both industries have amazing stories to tell.
How involved were you in the production process? Champagne and rosé have very different winemaking processes—having the opportunity to participate firsthand in both has been an incredible experience. Despite their differences, the excitement around harvest is always consistent and a great time to visit France. My early fall schedule went from Paris fashion shows and showrooms to visiting beautiful vineyards in Champagne and Provence!
Why launch Champagne À L’EST at The Colony Hotel? The Colony is such an icon. When I walk into the lobby, I feel like I’m stepping back into vintage Palm Beach glamour. We are thrilled to be served on their wine menu—our Champagne label has golden palm fronds inspired by destinations like The Colony Hotel and Palm Beach, so it fits right in.
Tell us about the charity component, xOE. Out East was inspired by beautiful destinations around the world, and the company feels it’s our responsibility to do our part to help keep it that way. With xOE, we partner with like-minded lifestyle brands to develop limited-edition apparel and accessories collaborations, and 100% of net proceeds are donated to charity. Our first collaboration benefited Project Zero, a charity dedicated to ocean sustainability, and we are excited to work with The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach for our Champagne À L’EST launch event. Giving back is every bit as meaningful as enjoying the finer things in life, and now we have a chance to do both.
Photography by: Nick Mele
