1700

THE VISION OF DOM RUINART

From the earliest years of the 18th century, Dom Thierry Ruinart foresaw the promising future of “the wine with bubbles” not yet known as champagne.
A hardworking and modest Benedictine monk, he also had a taste for the contemporary and developed a keen business sense. He passed on his conviction to his nephew Nicolas Ruinart.

1729

NICOLAS RUINART

The first bottles of “wine with bubbles” were business gifts for clients of Nicolas Ruinart’s drapery. Nicolas was a sophisticated businessman and he had adopted his uncle’s pioneering vision and ambition for “wine with bubbles”. Only six years after the initial bottles were produced he found success.

1729

THE FIRST ESTABLISHED
HOUSE OF CHAMPAGNE

“In the name of God and the Holy Virgin shall this book be opened”…
That was how, on September 1, 1729, Nicolas Ruinart a draper like his father, penned the first entry officially marking the transformation of Maison Ruinart into the first Champagne House.

1735

MAISON RUINART ABANDONS
THE CLOTH TRADE

In 1735, Maison Ruinart abandoned the cloth trade to concentrate on the burgeoning champagne trade. This became Nicolas’s sole occupation and growth was exponential – with 170 bottles sold in 1730; 3000 bottles in 1731;
36,000 in 1761, and onwards.

1768

THE COOL PRIVACY OF THE CHALK PITS

In 1768, Ruinart acquired former Gallo-Roman chalk quarries,
hollowed out under the city of Reims to a depth of up to 38 metres,
for the purpose of storing its bottles.

1869

Ruinart and Art

In 1896 Ruinart commissioned the Art Nouveau Czech artist Alphonse Mucha to create a poster for the house. This made a huge impact with this first advertisement and this was the beginning of a beautiful relationship between Ruinart and Art.

1931

THE CHALK PITS CLASSIFIED
AS A HISTORICAL MONUMENT

Classified as a historical monument in 1931,
these crayères offer the triple benefit of stable temperature,
complete absence of vibration and perfect humidity levels.

2000

COLLABORATION PROJECT WITH ARTISTS

Since 2000, Ruinart continues its commitment to art by supporting more than 30 major international art fairs and its annual commission of a contemporary artist. Ruinart shares its heritage, history and know- how through the original and creative vision.