If you had asked Lisa Fontanetta and Heather Linden a year ago whether they'd be launching their own wine brand, both would have laughed.

"We would have said, 'Are you crazy?'" Ms Linden says.

Yet only a few months after launching Long Bay Rosé, their custom French rosé is already appearing at beach gatherings, boat days and summer dinners across the island.

The idea began unexpectedly during a trip to Texas.

"We came across this bottle in the back of a fridge while we were on vacation. We loved the design”, Ms Fontanetta recalls.

They could immediately see how well the concept might work in Bermuda, particularly for boats, beaches, pools and outdoor gatherings, where glass bottles can be inconvenient.

Ms Linden says: "We thought it was such a great idea. We kept saying it would be perfect for Bermuda."

Later that evening, after a few bottles of wine and more conversation, the idea became more serious. By the next morning, they reached out to the chief executive of the wine on LinkedIn.

"We were making a marketing plan at two o'clock in the morning," Ms Fontanetta says.

What caught their attention wasn't just the wine. It was the bottle.

Lightweight, durable and designed for outdoor lifestyles, it seemed tailor-made for a place where weekends are often spent on boats, beaches and around pools.

Ms Fontanetta says: "We thought it solved a problem. We all know what it's like carrying heavy glass bottles to the beach or on to a boat."

But if they were going to do it, they wanted to do it properly.

"We said if we're bringing this bottle to Bermuda, we don't want it to feel cheap. We wanted a really high-quality wine that we would genuinely want to drink ourselves”, Ms Linden says.

The following morning, the project officially began.

"The next morning we actually followed through and reached out to the original founder on LinkedIn," Ms Linden adds.

That introduction eventually led them to partners in France.

Ms Fontanetta explains: "We explained exactly what we wanted. A light rosé. Pale in colour. Very crisp. Very refreshing."

Rather than selecting an existing wine, they worked with French partners to create their own blend.

"It's our blend. You won't find this exact wine anywhere else”, Ms Linden says.

Several samples eventually arrived in Bermuda for testing. Unfortunately, most of the team was away.

Ms Linden explains: "The samples landed with me and everybody else was off island. I remember thinking, 'This is so much pressure'."

So she recruited help: "I called some neighbours and girlfriends over and we did a tasting."

The result was immediate: "Unanimously, everybody picked Blend Number One."

Even after making the selection, there were nerves.

"When the finished wine arrived, I remember thinking, 'Please be good. Please be good’," Ms Linden says.

Fortunately, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Ms Linden continues: "What we keep hearing is that it's really drinkable. People keep saying there's no aftertaste and that it's exactly the style of rosé they want to drink."

While the wine itself was crucial, the founders remain equally passionate about the packaging.

Ms Fontanetta says: "It's still a full 750ml bottle but it's lighter and smaller than traditional glass.”

"And it fits in your purse," Ms Linden adds.

At first glance, many consumers don't even realise it isn't glass.

"On the shelf, you really can't tell," Ms Fontanetta says.

The bottle is made from BPA-free PET plastic and is fully recyclable.

"The carbon footprint of manufacturing and transporting glass is significant," Ms Linden says. "This offered another option."

Customers have already begun finding creative uses for the bottle after it's empty.

"Someone suggested filling it with water and freezing it. Then you can use it as an ice pack in your cooler,” Ms Fontanetta says.

For the founders, however, the biggest advantage is flexibility.

Ms Linden says: "We call it a lifestyle wine. It's not really about replacing the restaurant experience. It's about all the places where glass doesn't make sense."

Boats have become an obvious target.

"That's been one of our biggest conversations," Ms Fontanetta says.

But the opportunities extend well beyond the water.

"Pools don't allow glass. Some beaches don't allow glass. Golf courses don't allow glass. It really opens up where you can enjoy wine”, Ms Linden says.

The brand officially landed in Bermuda at the end of April and is currently available through The Tasting Room, English Market and Supermart. The founders are also in discussions with hotels, beach clubs, event planners and wedding venues.

"We're hoping people start seeing it in more places over the next few weeks," Ms Fontanetta says.

For now, their focus remains Bermuda.

"The goal is to have a really great summer here," Ms Linden said.

The wine is currently exclusive to Bermuda, but expansion plans are already taking shape.

"We've positioned the company for growth," Ms Fontanetta says.

Potential future markets include other Caribbean islands, Florida and the Hamptons. Still, wherever Long Bay Rosé goes next, the founders say the connection to Bermuda will remain at the centre of the brand.

"It's French rosé inspired by Bermuda," Ms Linden says.

"And if we're successful internationally," Ms Fontanetta adds. "That's another opportunity to showcase Bermuda to the world."