A visit to Pol Roger

At the beginning of August, something exciting came my way. While I had already planned a working holiday at Mas de Daumas Gassac, an equally thrilling opportunity presented itself: Aljoscha, our wine buyer, invited me to join him and our colleagues Min Yee and Nick on a trip to the Pol Roger winery in Épernay. This prestigious winery is closed to the public, but we were offered the chance to taste their exceptional champagne, explore their historic partnership with the late Winston Churchill, and—on a personal note—reconnect with my roots. I was born just 30 kilometres from Épernay, and my grandmother still lives there (a big thought to her ❤️).

The two-day trip was impeccably organized by George Prideaux and Magnus Chapple. Apart from some traffic jams in Paris—and the minor hiccup of Mr. MeBeingMe forgetting his passport in Oxford (handled with great diplomacy) — everything unfolded perfectly. A bus took us through the picturesque Vallée de la Marne, eventually delivering us to Pol Roger.

The experience was unforgettable: a stunning, state-of-the-art winery with breathtaking views of the Coteaux d’Épernay, insightful conversations with a winemaker, knowledgeable guides, and an exceptional dinner prepared by the in-house chef. We even had the privilege of dining in the presence of Laurent d’Harcourt, Pol Roger’s CEO, who impressed us with his humility, expertise, and approachability.

Pol Roger stands apart as a family-owned business, tracing its origins back to 1849, when the eponymous Pol Roger established the champagne house.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the visit was meeting Corentin and Guillaume, the two skilled riddlers responsible for turning an astounding 50,000 to 60,000 bottles each day.  At Pol Roger, each bottle undergoes traditional hand riddling before disgorgement and dosage. Notably, all Pol Roger non-vintage Champagnes rest on their lees for a minimum of four years in the 10 kilometres of cellars carved beneath the winery.

This trip was not just about champagne; it was about history, heritage, and meeting wonderful people. If you’d like to hear more—or discover their exquisite champagnes—don’t hesitate to come and see me!