In 2023, an exceptional discovery in the cellars of Paul Bocuse’s restaurant in Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or brought to light a forgotten chapter of champagne history.
Eighteen bottles of Ruinart 1926 vintage were found there, rare witnesses to a bygone era and to a craftsmanship already deeply rooted in the tradition of the oldest Champagne house. Aware of their heritage value, the Maison retrieved them and transferred them to 4 Rue des Crayères in Reims, where they now form part of its oenotheque. As the centenary of this vintage approaches, Ruinart offers a renewed reading of its history, shaped by heritage, transmission and a forward-looking vision.
Witness to heritage of Maison Ruinart
The 1926 vintage represents a pivotal moment in the history of Maison Ruinart. It is associated with a distinct historical and human context, notably marked by the confirmation of Maurice Hazart as cellar master, a role he had already held since 1911. This period reflects the consolidation of a demanding winemaking expertise at a time when Champagne was undergoing significant qualitative structuring.
The bottles rediscovered in Paul Bocuse’s cellars are therefore far more than aged wines. They stand as witnesses to the dialogue between fine dining and exceptional wines. Today, their preservation in the Cave des Millésimes, within the new Nicolas Ruinart pavilion, gives them a living, almost museum like dimension accessible to connoisseurs.
The transmission of savoir faire
Several decades later, these bottles continued their journey through generations. Maurice Hazart’s successor offered part of them to Paul Bocuse, a passionate wine enthusiast and collector of bottles linked to his birth year. In 2023, most of the remaining bottles were entrusted to Frédéric Panaïotis to join the Maison Ruinart oenotheque.
This trajectory illustrates a rare continuity in which each generation contributes to preserving and enriching a living heritage. In 2026, the appointment of Caroline Fiot as cellar master marks a new chapter in this transmission, placing the 1926 vintage within a contemporary interpretation of Champagne savoir faire.
A century in dialogue
To mark this centenary, Ruinart will host an exclusive experience in Reims in April 2026, created in collaboration with chef Arnaud Donckele. Combining a visit to the UNESCO listed crayères, a gastronomic journey and a guided tasting experience, the event will bring together a select group of enthusiasts around a shared story. A century after its creation, the 1926 vintage continues to connect memory, excellence and creation.
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