Pol Roger

Pol Roger

Pol Roger is a Négociant-Maison from Épernay, founded in 1849 by Pol Roger, then 18 years old. Since November 2020, Bastien Collard de Billy represents the 6th generation of the family; management has been led since June 2013 by Laurent d'Harcourt as Président du directoire. The Maison celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2024.

The company manages 92 hectares of vineyard and is closely connected with Winston Churchill: Odette Pol-Roger, wife of Jacques (3rd generation), befriended Churchill in 1940; he later called Pol Roger "the most delicious address in the world." In 1975, the Maison created Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in his honor.

History

Pol Roger sold his first batch of wine to a négociant in Aÿ on January 2, 1849. Two years later, in 1851, the Maison moved from Aÿ to Épernay, where it still resides today – in a 19th-century family house on what is now Rue Henri Le Large (formerly Rue Winston Churchill), which was comprehensively renovated between 2011 and 2013.

Early on, Pol Roger oriented himself toward English taste: From 1855, he preferentially produced Brut champagnes, still unusual at the time. After his death in 1899, his sons Maurice and Georges took over management. A year later, on February 23, 1900, catastrophe struck the Maison: Part of the cellars and buildings collapsed, 500 barrels and 1.5 million bottles were lost. That same year, Maurice and Georges changed their surname to Pol-Roger to honor their father.

Maurice Pol-Roger was elected mayor of Épernay in 1912 and led the city with prudence during the German occupation in World War I. In 1927, his son Jacques joined the company (3rd generation). Jacques' wife Odette established the historic friendship with Winston Churchill in 1940, which sustainably shaped the Maison's image. By 1955, Pol Roger was for Churchill "the most delicious address in the world"; sales figures rose significantly.

Important innovations began in the 1960s: In 1961, the Maison launched Rosé Vintage, and in the late 60s, Blanc de Blancs Vintage followed. In 1975, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill was born, initially only in Magnum, inaugurated at Blenheim Palace. In 1988, Hubert de Billy (5th generation) joined management as sales manager for France. In 1998, the USA became the most important export market.

In 2001, Pol Roger brought Cuvée Rich (Demi-sec) to market and redesigned the logo and bottle design. In 2007, Cuvée Pure (Extra Brut) followed, and the vignoble grew from 85 hectares (1999) to 92 hectares. Between 2001 and 2011, the Maison modernized the entire production facility under Chef de Caves Dominique Petit. In April 2018, Damien Cambres took over as Chef de Caves.

Since January 2019, Véronique Collard de Billy has led the supervisory board, supported by Christian de Billy as vice president. In November 2020, Bastien Collard de Billy joined as the first representative of the 6th generation and is today general secretary of the Maison.

Vignoble & Terroir

Pol Roger manages 92 hectares of vineyard. The Maison has its origins in Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne, but has been based in Épernay since 1851. Specific details about the villages and plots farmed, as well as grape variety distribution, are not available.

Vinification

Between 2001 and 2011, Pol Roger rebuilt the entire production facility – with the goal of achieving the highest quality and consistency. Under Chef de Caves Dominique Petit (until 2018), the equipment was completely transformed. Since April 2018, Damien Cambres has been responsible for cellar work. Further details about barrel types, malolactic fermentation, or dosage philosophy are not documented.

The Cuvées in Detail

Réserve Brut

The Maison's base cuvée shows aromas of yellow apple, pear, white fruit, citrus fruits, and brioche. Creamy on the palate, with well-integrated minerality, harmonious and round.

Pure Brut Nature

Launched in 2007 as an Extra-Brut variant with zero dosage – a response to growing demand for undosed champagne.
0 g/l Dosage · Brut Nature

Rich Demi-sec

In the range since 2001, as a sweeter version for the modern palate.
Demi-sec

Brut Vintage

The Maison's classic vintage champagne, produced only in selected years.
Millésimé · Brut

Blanc de Blancs Vintage

Pure Chardonnay champagne, launched in the late 1960s. Only in selected vintages.
100% Chardonnay · Millésimé

Rosé Vintage

In the range since 1961 – one of Champagne's early vintage rosés.
Millésimé · Rosé

Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut Vintage

The Maison's prestige cuvée, born in 1975, inaugurated at Blenheim Palace. Originally bottled only in Magnum – a tribute to the British Prime Minister who declared Pol Roger "the most delicious address in the world."
Millésimé · Brut

Édition Vinothèque Brut Vintage

Extended cellar aging for selected vintages – the Vinothèque line offers particularly aged bottlings of the classic cuvées.
Millésimé · Brut

Édition Vinothèque Rosé Vintage

Rosé version of the Vinothèque line, with significantly longer aging than the regular Rosé Vintage.
Millésimé · Rosé

Édition Vinothèque Blanc de Blancs

Chardonnay prestige bottling with extended cellar aging.
100% Chardonnay · Millésimé

Édition Vinothèque Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

The long-aged version of the prestige cuvée, for special occasions and collectors.
Millésimé · Brut

My Tastings

• Réserve · March 21, 2025
• Brut Réserve · December 12, 2024

Facts

Maison	Pol Roger
Category	NM (Négociant-Manipulant)
Founded	1849
Founder	Pol Roger
Generation	6th generation since 2020
Management	Laurent d'Harcourt (Président du directoire)
Supervisory Board	Véronique Collard de Billy (President since 2019)
Chef de Caves	Damien Cambres (since April 2018)
Location	1 Rue Henri Le Large, 51200 Épernay
Vignoble	92 hectares
Anniversary	175 years in 2024
Website	polroger.com
Instagram	@champagnepolroger · 16,844 followers
Phone	+33 3 26 59 58 00
Email	polroger@polroger.fr

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Sources for this portrait: Maison website, my own tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.