Champagne Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier Premier Cru

A family business for five generations, Vilmart is driven by unique intuition, a taste for precision and a certain form of freedom. In 1890, Désiré Vilmart founded the house in the heart of the village of Rilly-la-Montagne, at the foot of the Montagne de Reims. He was succeeded by his son Charles, then his grandson Renan. They were both instrumental in furthering the house’s growth. Independence and boldness were already characteristic of the house’s outlook.

During the Second World War, Renan witnessed the destruction of the estate. With courage and determination, he applied himself to reconstructing buildings and facilities over cellars that had been spared; Vilmart still occupies these premises, which have been developed and added to by each successive generation.

In 1963, Renan’s son-in-law René Champs took over the reins of the estate. With a background entirely unrelated to viticulture (skilled carpentry), he learnt all about the wine-grower’s craft at his father-in-law’s side. His commitment and perseverance earned him peer recognition, and he was made Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole.

Since 1995, René’s son Laurent Champs has imbued the house with his energy and dedication. He works with precision to reinterpret his wines, with the utmost respect for the work accomplished by the preceding four generations. Thanks to his frequent travels throughout the world, he now exports more than half his production to around 30 different countries. His daughter Morgane has also joined the house. An engineer with training in artistic crafts, she is now learning the family know-how while offering her own aesthetic perspective and creative drive.