Champagne Brut Réserve Gift Box - Pol Roger

Pol Roger

Family-Owned Champagne House Since 1849

It is at the age of 18 that Pol Roger tried his hand at the champagne trade, in 1849, out of necessity. Indeed, his father passed away that same year, compelling the young man to start a business to provide for his family. In 1851, Pol left his hometown of Aÿ to establish his champagne house in Épernay (in the Marne Valley). As early as 1855, he decided to target the British market, known for its preference for brut champagne. A stroke of genius that opened many doors for him and allowed the fledgling business to prosper.

In 1899, Pol died of pneumonia, leaving his sons Maurice and Georges Roger at the helm of the champagne house. Maurice took care of the commercial aspect, while Georges was responsible for the winemaking process. Their careers as managers had just begun when disaster struck the two brothers: in 1900, a part of the cellars and production buildings collapsed, resulting in the loss of several hundred wine barrels and over a million bottles. Nevertheless, the Pol-Roger family (as Maurice and Georges officially changed their surname in honor of their father) persisted... until 1914, which marked the beginning of World War I.

That year, everything came to a halt for the champagne house for four years. After the war, business fortunately resumed, and exports continued to grow, despite Prohibition in the United States and the revolution in Russia (two major clients of the house). Subsequently, the economic crisis of 1929 and World War II also affected the Pol-Roger family.

In 1946, the renown of the house was strengthened by the loyalty of one of its biggest fans: the future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill, who was fond of claiming everywhere he went that the Pol-Roger Champagne was "the most delightful in the world". Nine years later, the love that the post-war hero had for the champagne house was reflected in the sales. Pol-Roger even released a commemorative magnum cuvée in 1975, simply called "Sir Winston Churchill".

Over the decades, the Maison Pol-Roger (now led by Jacques and Jean Pol-Roger, with the assistance of Christian de Billy and his son Hubert) launched new wine cuvées on the market and expanded its vineyard, reaching 85 hectares in 1999 and then 92 hectares in 2007. Various new markets were deemed adequate for exporting, and a more proactive business strategy was implemented in various countries.

Renovations were carried out between 2001 and 2013, and Damien Cambres took over from Dominique Petit as chief winemaker in April 2018. Since the year 2000, Patrice Noyelle has overseen the company, before being succeeded by Laurent d'Harcourt in 2013. The Pol Roger brand is now geared towards luxury and elegance, which it showcases on its bottles and in its marketing strategies. It is part of the "Primum Familiæ Vini" association, which brings together the greatest winemaking families, and maintains the same level of independence it had at its beginnings.

Browse the Pol Roger champagnes.