Croizet

Croizet is a French Cognac house based in Saint-Même-les-Carrières, in Grande Champagne, the premier cru of the Cognac appellation. Founded in 1805 by Simon Croizet, a vineyard owner and former sommelier associated with Napoleon I's command, the house developed from a family wine-growing enterprise into a producer and merchant of aged Cognac. Its facilities occupy former Turonian limestone quarry galleries, whose cool and stable conditions are used for long-term maturation. The brand's historical identity is closely connected with Léon Benjamin Croizet, who led the family firm from the 1870s. During the phylloxera crisis, he conducted experiments with grafted vines and American rootstocks on the chalky soils of Grande Champagne. His work included enclosed experimental vineyards and the dissemination of cultivation findings to other growers. He received the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1902, partly in recognition of his contribution to the reconstitution of the Charentais vineyard. The estate also received recognition at French and international exhibitions during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. After Léon Benjamin Croizet's death in 1911, ownership passed through marriage to the Eymard family. The business traded under several Croizet-Eymard-related names and retained family control for eight generations. Its commercial network extended across France and overseas markets, with historical distribution to Britain, the United States, and other destinations. Croizet was also associated with prestigious hotels, restaurants, department stores, and specialist importers. The house maintained unusually detailed records for its stocks, allowing it to market certain Cognacs as vintage-dated millésimé expressions when regulatory conditions permitted. Croizet's best-known historic bottling is Cuvée Léonie 1858, named for Léonie Croizet, daughter of Léon Benjamin and later an Eymard by marriage. The expression became associated with high-value luxury marketing and with Guinness World Records for an auction sale, a cocktail, and a shot of Cognac, although each record was later surpassed. Other prestige offerings have included old vintage releases such as the 1914 Bonaparte. In February 2007, the house was acquired by Russian Wine Trust, ending more than two centuries of continuous family ownership. The new ownership announced plans to expand the vineyard base, increase production and revenue, and develop international distribution. Croizet subsequently strengthened its presence in Asian and Middle Eastern luxury channels, including Macau and Dubai. The house remains positioned as a heritage Cognac producer emphasizing Grande Champagne provenance, aged stocks, historic records, and rare collectible releases.

Croizet was established in 1805 at Saint-Même-les-Carrières, a village in Grande Champagne. The locality's extensive limestone quarries later provided underground spaces suitable for storing and maturing Cognac. Founder Simon Croizet came from a Grande Champagne vineyard family and is described in Cognac references as having worked as a sommelier connected with Napoleon I's high command. He also served as the commune's mayor. The Croizet trademark was registered in 1871. The house became particularly prominent under Léon Benjamin Croizet, who assumed leadership during the period when phylloxera was threatening the vineyards of the Charente. Beginning experiments in 1871, he studied grafted vines and American rootstocks capable of surviving the epidemic. His work was important because the calcium-rich soils of Grande Champagne made the selection of suitable rootstocks difficult. By 1883 he had established an experimental field, and by the late 1880s and early 1890s visitors and horticultural commissions were examining the estate's enclosed test vineyards. Croizet's experiments included varieties such as Folle blanche, Jurançon, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Saint-Émilion, together with several rootstocks. Contemporary observers considered the results valuable for the broader restoration of the Charentais vineyard. Croizet's public and professional reputation was reinforced by exhibition participation. The firm received recognition at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle and later at exhibitions in London and Brussels. Léon Benjamin Croizet was also named a Chevalier of the Order of Agricultural Merit and, in 1902, a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Following his death in 1911, the business passed to the Eymard family through the marriage of his daughter Léonie to Pierre Jean Eymard. The company used names including Croizet-Eymard & Cie and Veuve B. Léon Croizet & Cie. The Eymards retained the Croizet identity while operating vineyards, cellars, and a distribution business. Surviving commercial correspondence indicates a substantial French customer network of hotels, restaurants, and regional distributors during the first half of the twentieth century. Historical trade material also records exports and agents in Europe, North America, and other overseas markets. Vintage Cognac became a defining specialty. Croizet maintained detailed records of its stocks and provenance, enabling the house to sell some bottles as single-vintage Cognacs after rules governing millésimé labelling were revised. Historic releases included the 1914 Bonaparte and the Cuvée Léonie 1858. The latter was named after Léonie Croizet and became a focal point for luxury auctions and publicity surrounding record-priced Cognac experiences. In 2007, after approximately eight generations of family ownership, Philippe Pierre Jean Gaston Eymard sold the house to Russian Wine Trust. The new owner announced investment and vineyard-expansion plans and pursued broader international distribution. Croizet was admitted to the Syndicat des producteurs de Cognac in 2008. During the following period, the brand increased its visibility in Asian and Middle Eastern luxury retail, including Macau and Dubai. It continues to present itself as a Grande Champagne producer built around estate provenance, underground cellars, historical reserves, and rare aged Cognac.

1. 2008Admission to the Cognac producers' syndicate

   Croizet is admitted to the Syndicat des producteurs de Cognac.

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2. 2007Russian Wine Trust acquisition

   The acquisition ends more than 200 years of continuous family ownership.

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3. 1911Ownership passes to the Eymard family

   After Léon Benjamin Croizet's death, the business passes through his daughter Léonie's marriage to Pierre Jean Eymard.

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4. 1902Léon Benjamin Croizet receives the Legion of Honour

   He is appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour for services connected with vineyard reconstruction.

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5. 1883Experimental vineyard established

   Léon Benjamin Croizet establishes a public experimental field for grafted vines and rootstock research.

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6. 1871Croizet trademark registered

   The Croizet trademark is registered under France's modern trademark framework.

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7. 1805Croizet is founded

   Simon Croizet establishes the Cognac house in Saint-Même-les-Carrières in Grande Champagne.

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Heritage French Grande Champagne Cognac house focused on long-aged, vintage-dated, and collectible spirits.

• Cuvée Léonie 1858Vintage prestige Cognac

  Croizet's best-known historic expression, associated with Léonie Croizet and the house's tradition of preserving documented vintage stocks. It has been marketed as an exceptionally rare luxury Cognac and became associated with several Guinness World Records involving high-value Cognac sales and servings.

• Bonaparte CollectionPrestige Cognac collection

  A prestige collection using the Croizet name's historical connection with Napoleon-era imagery and old Cognac reserves. The collection has been promoted internationally, including in emerging luxury markets.

• 1914 BonaparteVintage Cognac1914

  A historic vintage-dated Cognac documented in post-war luxury retail, including a Fortnum & Mason gift set. It represents Croizet's long-standing emphasis on traceable vintage bottlings.

• 2008Expansion of producer and distribution profileStrategy

  Following the acquisition, the house sought stronger institutional recognition and broader international reach.

  What changed. Croizet joined the Syndicat des producteurs de Cognac and developed luxury-market distribution in Asia and the Middle East.

  Aftermath. The brand gained placements in destinations including Macau and Dubai.

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• 2007Sale to Russian Wine TrustM&A

  The Eymard family had owned and operated the house for approximately eight generations.

  What changed. Philippe Pierre Jean Gaston Eymard sold Croizet to Russian Wine Trust.

  Aftermath. The change ended family ownership and was followed by announced plans for vineyard expansion and international growth.

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• 2016Cuvée Léonie 1858 becomes associated with three Guinness World Records

  The historic bottling was linked to records involving the most expensive Cognac auction sale, cocktail, and shot at different times; the records were subsequently surpassed.

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• 2009Croizet expands distribution in Asian and Middle Eastern luxury channels

  The brand developed placements including MGM Macau and the Le Clos duty-free boutique at Dubai International Airport.

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• 2007Croizet is acquired by Russian Wine Trust

  Russian Wine Trust acquired the Cognac house, ending eight generations of family ownership.

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1. Croizet