Pol Roger

Pol Roger is an independent French Champagne house based in Épernay, in the Champagne wine region. Founded by Pol Roger in 1849, the company began as a wine merchant and developed into a producer whose identity is closely associated with traditional-method Champagne, family continuity, and a restrained luxury image. The house remains controlled and operated by descendants of its founder and is described by the Royal Warrant Holders Association as being in the hands of the fifth and sixth generations. The business originated when Pol Roger, born in 1831, entered the wine trade after his father, a notary, became seriously ill. His first recorded wine sale took place in January 1849 in Aÿ, and the family moved the business to Épernay in 1851. The company released its first Champagne growths in 1853. From an early stage, Pol Roger emphasized brut Champagne, a relatively dry style that was particularly attractive to the English market. That commercial and stylistic choice helped establish the house's export-oriented character. Pol Roger's reputation grew during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries despite a major operational disaster. On 23 February 1900, part of the cellars and buildings collapsed, destroying approximately 500 casks and 1.5 million bottles. The founder's sons, Maurice and Georges Roger, led the recovery. In the same year, the family obtained permission to change its surname to Pol-Roger in tribute to the founder. Maurice focused heavily on public relations, sales, and commercial development, while Georges was associated with tasting, production, and financial administration. The house expanded internationally and supplied royal and imperial courts, although its export development was interrupted by the First World War, United States Prohibition, the Russian Revolution, the 1929 economic crisis, and the German occupation of France during the Second World War. The family maintained direct control throughout these disruptions, helping preserve the house's independent identity. Pol Roger later became a member of Primum Familiae Vini, an association of prominent family-owned wine producers. The brand's most famous personal association is with Sir Winston Churchill, who became a committed Pol Roger customer from 1908 and maintained a close relationship with the Pol-Roger family. Following Churchill's death in 1965, the house placed a black border on Brut non-vintage labels shipped to the United Kingdom. The prestige Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill was introduced in 1984, using the 1975 vintage as its first release and initially being offered only in magnum format. The cuvée is Pinot Noir-dominant, although its precise blend is kept confidential, and it is generally released after extended maturation. Pol Roger's range includes non-vintage, vintage, rosé, blanc de blancs, and prestige Champagne. Its principal non-vintage cuvées are Réserve Brut, Pure Brut Nature, and Rich Demi-Sec. The vintage portfolio includes Brut Vintage, Blanc de Blancs Vintage, and Rosé Vintage, while Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill occupies the top of the range. The house also offers older releases through its Édition Vinothèque collection. Production is supported by company-owned vineyards and long-term sourcing from growers, with the house maintaining deep cellars in Épernay. Since 2000, Pol Roger has invested in broader international distribution, brand presentation, winery modernization, and estate infrastructure. The logo and bottle were redesigned in 2001, the Rich cuvée was launched that year, and Pure Brut followed in 2007. A major winery renovation ran from 2001 to 2011, while the family's nineteenth-century residence on Rue Winston Churchill was refurbished between 2011 and 2013. The house continues to operate as a private, internationally distributed Champagne producer with a positioning built on heritage, independence, craftsmanship, and understated prestige.

Pol Roger's history began in the Champagne village of Aÿ, where Pol Roger was born on 24 December 1831. His father was a notary, but illness prevented him from continuing his profession. The family circumstances prompted the young Pol Roger to enter the wine trade. He made his first recorded sale in January 1849 to a merchant in Aÿ and initially worked as a wine wholesaler. The company relocated to Épernay in 1851, placing it in the center of the Champagne trade and giving it greater room to develop. The business released its first Champagne growths in 1853. By 1855, Pol Roger was deliberately favoring brut Champagne, a drier style that he believed would appeal to English customers. This decision helped define the house's commercial identity and strengthened its links with the British market. During the remainder of the nineteenth century, the firm expanded its recognition and international reach. Pol Roger died of pneumonia in 1899, by which time his sons Maurice and Georges were prepared to assume responsibility for the company. The early twentieth century brought both growth and crisis. On 23 February 1900, part of the cellars and buildings collapsed, destroying about 500 casks and 1.5 million bottles. Maurice and Georges led the recovery, supported by solidarity from the surrounding community and the determination of the family. The brothers also obtained legal permission in 1900 to change their surname to Pol-Roger, honoring their father. Maurice became the company's public and commercial representative, responsible for public relations, sales, and marketing. Georges concentrated on tasting, winemaking, and financial management. Maurice was elected mayor of Épernay in 1912 and remained active in local and professional wine organizations. Pol Roger's export activity expanded before the First World War, with the house supplying prestigious restaurants and royal customers. The First World War interrupted that development. In the following decades, United States Prohibition and the Russian Revolution narrowed important export opportunities, while the 1929 economic crisis made trading conditions more difficult. During the Second World War, German occupation authorities controlled the production and purchase of Champagne. The family's direct control helped the company preserve its identity through these periods of political and economic instability. A third generation entered the business in 1927 when Jacques, the son of Maurice, joined the firm. In the 1940s, Odette Pol-Roger developed a friendship with Winston Churchill, whose relationship with the house became one of its most important cultural and commercial associations. Churchill had favored Pol Roger since 1908 and reportedly regarded it as his preferred Champagne. After his death in 1965, Pol Roger placed a black border around Brut non-vintage labels shipped to the United Kingdom. The relationship continued through the family's support for replanting at Chartwell after the Great Storm of 1987. The post-war period saw a gradual improvement in sales and a broadening of the product range. A vintage rosé was launched in 1961, followed by the development of a Blanc de Blancs cuvée. The house's prestige history also includes the P.R. Reserve Spéciale, first released with the 1971 vintage and made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from grand cru vineyards. The Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill was created from the 1975 vintage and launched in 1984 at Blenheim Palace in magnums. It later replaced Reserve Spéciale as the house's leading prestige cuvée. The Churchill cuvée is Pinot Noir-dominant, released only in selected years, and typically brought to market after prolonged aging. Its exact blend is kept confidential. The third, fourth, and fifth generations continued to run the firm after the deaths of Georges in 1950 and Maurice in 1959. Jacques and Jean were among the family members at the controls, assisted by Christian de Billy and later Christian Pol-Roger. Hubert de Billy, a member of the fifth generation, joined the business in 1988 as Sales Manager for France. Patrice Noyelle, the first prominent non-family manager identified in the house's official history, joined in 1997. In the 1990s, Pol Roger continued to expand its vineyard holdings and international presence; the United States became its largest export market in 1998. From 2000 onward, the house pursued a more expansive sales and distribution strategy, appointing or strengthening importers in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Australia. Rich was launched in 2001, and the logo and bottle were redesigned in the same year. The winery underwent a complete renovation from 2001 to 2011, supporting more consistent vinification under cellar master Dominique Petit. The family residence on Rue Winston Churchill in Épernay was refurbished between 2011 and 2013. In June 2013, Laurent d'Harcourt succeeded Patrice Noyelle as President of the Board of Directors. Isabelle Gautier joined the Board in 2015, and Véronique Collard de Billy became President of the Supervisory Board in January 2019. Damien Cambres became cellar master in April 2018, and Bastien Collard de Billy joined as General Secretary in November 2020, marking the entry of the sixth generation. Today, Pol Roger remains an active, private, family-owned Champagne house. It combines estate vineyards, grape sourcing from growers, deep Épernay cellars, traditional-method production, and a product range spanning non-vintage, vintage, rosé, blanc de blancs, demi-sec, extra brut, prestige, and library-style releases. Its international reputation rests on continuity, polished presentation, restrained luxury, and the enduring Churchill association.

1. 2020Sixth generation joins the house

   Bastien Collard de Billy joined as General Secretary, becoming the first member of the sixth generation to enter the business.

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2. 2019Supervisory Board succession

   Véronique Collard de Billy became President of the Supervisory Board, succeeding her father Christian de Billy.

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3. 2018Damien Cambres becomes cellar master

   Damien Cambres succeeded Dominique Petit as cellar master.

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4. 2015Isabelle Gautier joins the Board

   Financial Director Isabelle Gautier was appointed to the Board of Directors.

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5. 2013Laurent d'Harcourt becomes board president

   Laurent d'Harcourt succeeded Patrice Noyelle as President of the Board of Directors.

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6. 2007Pure Brut launched

   The house added Pure Brut, an Extra Brut cuvée, to its non-vintage range.

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7. 2001Rich launched and brand identity redesigned

   Pol Roger introduced the Rich demi-sec cuvée and redesigned its logo and bottle.

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8. 2001Winery renovation begins

   A complete renovation of the winery began and continued through 2011.

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9. 1998United States becomes largest export market

   The United States became Pol Roger's largest export market.

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10. 1987Support for Chartwell replanting

    The Pol-Roger family paid for much of the replanting at Winston Churchill's Chartwell estate after the Great Storm damaged its trees.

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11. 1984Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill launched

    Pol Roger formally introduced its prestige Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill at Blenheim Palace.

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12. 1975First Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill vintage

    The 1975 vintage became the first release of the future Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, initially issued only in magnum format.

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13. 1971P.R. Reserve Spéciale first released

    The former prestige cuvée P.R. Reserve Spéciale was first released with the 1971 vintage.

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14. 1961Vintage rosé introduced

    The house expanded its range with the launch of a vintage rosé.

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15. 1927Third generation enters the company

    Jacques, the son of Maurice, joined the firm and marked the arrival of the third generation in the family business.

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16. 1912Maurice Roger elected mayor of Épernay

    Maurice Roger became mayor of Épernay while continuing to participate in wine-sector organizations.

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17. 1900Cellar collapse and family-name change

    A cellar and building collapse destroyed approximately 500 casks and 1.5 million bottles. Later that year, the family received permission to adopt the surname Pol-Roger in tribute to the founder.

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18. 1899Founder dies; sons assume control

    After Pol Roger's death, his sons Maurice and Georges took over management of the family business.

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19. 1855Early emphasis on brut Champagne

    Pol Roger began favoring brut Champagne, anticipating strong demand for the drier style in England.

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20. 1853First Champagne growths released

    The firm released its first Champagne growths, moving beyond wholesale wine activity toward production.

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21. 1851Relocation to Épernay

    The family moved the business from Aÿ to Épernay, where the house remains headquartered.

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22. 1849First wine sale and foundation of the business

    Pol Roger made his first recorded wine sale in January 1849 and established the business that would become the Pol Roger Champagne house.

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Luxury Champagne house combining family ownership, traditional production, long cellar maturation, international heritage, and an understated association with British statesmanship.

• Réserve BrutNon-vintage Champagne

  Pol Roger's principal non-vintage brut cuvée and one of the central expressions of the house style. It represents the brand's traditional emphasis on balanced, polished Champagne intended for broad international distribution and repeated release across years.

• Pure Brut NatureExtra Brut Champagne2007

  A very dry non-vintage cuvée launched as Pure Brut in 2007. Its low-dosage style presents a more austere and mineral interpretation of the Pol Roger house profile for consumers seeking Champagne with minimal added sugar.

• Rich Demi-SecDemi-sec Champagne2001

  A sweeter demi-sec Champagne introduced in 2001. Rich broadened Pol Roger's portfolio beyond brut styles and gave the house a cuvée designed for consumers who prefer a rounder, more noticeably sweet Champagne profile.

• Brut VintageVintage Champagne

  A vintage-dated Champagne produced only from selected harvests. The blend is typically Pinot Noir-dominant, with the house describing a usual composition of approximately 60 percent Pinot Noir and 40 percent Chardonnay, although the proportions can vary by vintage.

• Blanc de Blancs VintageVintage blanc de blancs Champagne

  A vintage blanc de blancs expression made around the character of Chardonnay. It extends the house's vintage range with a more Chardonnay-led style alongside Brut Vintage and Rosé Vintage.

• Rosé VintageVintage rosé Champagne1961

  Pol Roger's vintage rosé expression, first introduced in 1961. It is part of the house's more specialized vintage portfolio and provides a rosé counterpart to the white vintage and prestige cuvées.

• Cuvée Sir Winston ChurchillPrestige vintage Champagne1984

  The house's flagship prestige cuvée, created in honor of Winston Churchill's long association with Pol Roger. It is generally Pinot Noir-dominant, released only in selected vintages, and matured for an extended period before release. The precise varietal composition is treated as a closely guarded house secret. The first vintage, 1975, was launched in 1984 in magnum format.

• Édition VinothèqueLibrary and extended-aging Champagne collection

  A collection of older, extended-aged releases including Brut Vintage, Rosé Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, and Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. The collection emphasizes cellar maturation and gives the house a platform for presenting mature expressions of its vintage wines.

• P.R. Reserve SpécialeFormer prestige vintage Champagne1971

  A former top-of-range prestige cuvée first released with the 1971 vintage. It was described as a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from grand cru vineyards and continued alongside Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill until production ended after the 1988 vintage.

• 1987Chartwell replanting support

  United Kingdom

  The Pol-Roger family financed much of the replanting at Chartwell after the Great Storm damaged trees at Winston Churchill's former country residence.

  Outcome. The action extended the relationship with Churchill's legacy beyond product marketing and into stewardship of a historically significant site.

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• 1984Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill launch

  United Kingdom · France · International

  Pol Roger introduced its prestige Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill at Blenheim Palace, converting a long-standing personal association with Churchill into a formal flagship product.

  Outcome. The cuvée became the house's leading prestige label and a central element of its international luxury positioning.

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• 1965Churchill remembrance labeling

  United Kingdom

  After Winston Churchill's death, Pol Roger placed a black border around the labels of Brut non-vintage bottles shipped to the United Kingdom as a tribute to its long-time customer and friend of the family.

  Outcome. The gesture reinforced the brand's distinctive British heritage association.

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• 2020Bring the sixth generation into managementGeneration change

  Pol Roger remained family-owned and was preparing continued generational succession.

  What changed. Bastien Collard de Billy joined the house as General Secretary.

  Aftermath. His appointment marked the entry of the first identified member of the sixth generation into the operating business.

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• 2018Appoint Damien Cambres as cellar masterOther

  Dominique Petit had served as cellar master for 19 years during a period that included major winery renovation.

  What changed. Damien Cambres took over as cellar master in April 2018.

  Aftermath. The appointment continued the house's focus on technical continuity and consistency across cuvées.

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• 2013Change in board leadershipOther

  Patrice Noyelle had led the Board of Directors during the company's modern expansion phase.

  What changed. Laurent d'Harcourt succeeded Noyelle as President of the Board, while Noyelle moved to the Supervisory Board.

  Aftermath. The change maintained continuity between professional management and family oversight.

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• 2007Launch Pure BrutProduct launch

  The company expanded its non-vintage portfolio to address demand for lower-dosage Champagne.

  What changed. Pol Roger launched Pure, an Extra Brut cuvée later presented as Pure Brut Nature.

  Aftermath. The range covered a wider spectrum of sweetness levels, from Extra Brut through demi-sec.

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• 2001Launch Rich demi-secProduct launch

  Pol Roger sought to broaden its product offering while pursuing a more expansive international sales strategy.

  What changed. The house introduced Rich, a demi-sec Champagne.

  Aftermath. The portfolio gained a sweeter style alongside its established brut and vintage offerings.

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• 2001Refresh visual identityStrategy

  The house was expanding distribution and wanted its presentation to better communicate elegance and distinction.

  What changed. Pol Roger redesigned its logo and bottle.

  Aftermath. The updated packaging supported a more contemporary expression of the brand's established luxury positioning.

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• 1988Discontinue P.R. Reserve SpécialeGeneration change

  P.R. Reserve Spéciale had continued alongside Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, creating two prestige products at the top of the range.

  What changed. Pol Roger ended production of Reserve Spéciale after the 1988 vintage.

  Aftermath. Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill became the sole flagship prestige cuvée.

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• 1975Create the first Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill vintageProduct launch

  Winston Churchill had been a prominent Pol Roger customer since 1908, creating a strong historical basis for a dedicated prestige cuvée.

  What changed. The house created the 1975 vintage as the first Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill release, initially reserved for magnum presentation.

  Aftermath. The cuvée became the defining top-of-range product in Pol Roger's portfolio.

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• 1900Recover from the Épernay cellar collapseStrategy

  The collapse of part of the cellars and buildings destroyed approximately 500 casks and 1.5 million bottles.

  What changed. Maurice and Georges Roger mobilized family leadership and local support to rebuild and continue the business.

  Aftermath. The house survived a severe operational shock and continued its export and production expansion.

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• 1855Prioritize brut ChampagneStrategy

  Pol Roger identified a preference in England for drier Champagne styles during the early development of the house.

  What changed. The company emphasized production and commercial development of brut Champagne.

  Aftermath. The decision helped establish Pol Roger's export orientation and its association with refined, dry Champagne.

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• 2026Pol Roger retains Royal Warrant recognition under the British monarchy

  The Royal Warrant Holders Association lists Pol Roger & Cie as a Champagne supplier to HM The King and describes the company as an independent, family-owned producer operating across the fifth and sixth generations.

  Other
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• 2022Pol Roger marks Queen Elizabeth II's death

  The official Pol Roger website published a statement mourning Queen Elizabeth II and expressing gratitude for her life of service, reflecting the house's long-standing royal association.

  Other
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• 2020Bastien Collard de Billy joins as General Secretary

  Bastien Collard de Billy became the first member of the sixth generation to join the house, taking the position of General Secretary.

  Leadership change
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• 2019Véronique Collard de Billy becomes Supervisory Board President

  Véronique Collard de Billy succeeded her father, Christian de Billy, as President of Pol Roger's Supervisory Board on 1 January 2019.

  Leadership change
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• 2018Damien Cambres becomes Pol Roger cellar master

  Damien Cambres succeeded Dominique Petit as cellar master in April 2018, continuing the house's practice of maintaining dedicated technical leadership for cuvée production and consistency.

  Leadership change
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• 2007Pol Roger launches Pure Brut

  The house added Pure Brut, an Extra Brut style with very low dosage, to its portfolio.

  Product launch
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• 2001Pol Roger launches Rich

  Pol Roger introduced Rich, a demi-sec cuvée, while also redesigning its logo and bottle to reinforce the brand's elegance-oriented presentation.

  Product launchOther
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1. Pol Roger
2. Pol Roger Official History
3. Pol Roger Champagne Range
4. Pol Roger Official Contact Information
5. Royal Warrant Holders Association: Pol Roger & Cie
6. Pol Roger marks Queen Elizabeth II's death