Founded in 1829 by three men, one aristocratic and the two others experts de vin*, Champagne Bollinger is today one of the oldest family-owned independent champagne houses in France.

As a member of an aristocratic family, Athanase de Hennerquin de Villermont was unable to commercialise the family name, thus the champagne house was originally called Renaudin Bollinger, after local wine fanatic Paul Renaudin and his friend, German wine negociant Jacques Bollinger.

When Jacques married Athanase’s daughter in 1837, the bonds grew stronger and by 1918, it was Jacques’ great-grandson, also named Jacques, who was running the company. When Jacques died in 1941 without leaving an heir, the management of the house fell to Jacques’ widow, Lily Bollinger. Described as une perle rare* by those who knew her, she was nothing if not a master promoter of the product.

“I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty.”

For the first time in its history, Champagne Bollinger is now managed by a non-family member, Jérôme Philipon, though with the full support of the Bollinger descendants.

*wine experts | *a rare gem

Great Champagne Houses