After two and a half years of design, research and construction, Maison Perrier-Jouët is delighted to inaugurate and use its new cellar for the first time, welcoming Chardonnay, its key grape variety, integrating plots dedicated to sustainable viticulture and regenerative agriculture. In the words of Séverine Frerson, Cellar Master of Maison Perrier-Jouët,“This cellar is a true tribute to the past which fully embraces the
style of Perrier-Jouët, enhancing the floral character of Chardonnay.”
Celebrating Chardonnay, from the 19th century to today
For over two centuries, Maison Perrier-Jouët has been known for champagnes in a signature floral style,
spotlighting the Chardonnay. Its historic cellar, dating back to the 19th century, was used to age and store
wines in wooden barrels, but fell out of use over the past several decades. In an exciting initiative, the
Maison designed and developed plans to renovate the historic cellar, specifically designed to usher in the
next chapter in the history of its champagnes, while reinforcing the signature Perrier-Jouët style.
Maintaining this link with its heritage, Maison Perrier-Jouët renovated its historic cellar, commissioning
brand new barrels to welcome a new generation of its Chardonnay-driven champagnes. These barrels help reinforce the floral signature and the texture of the wines, enhancing its silkiness and its tactility, while also adding the touch of subtle spice which sets Perrier-Jouët champagnes apart.
Dedicated entirely to Chardonnay, the newly inaugurated cellar welcomes barrels and foudres. All are
fabricated in fine-grained French oak of the highest quality. In the new cellar, an entire team works alongside Cellar Master Séverine Frerson, each demonstrating their mastery of wine and wood, working together to rotate the wines from barrel to barrel as needed, to ensure a light and subtle woody influence on the wines.
A Sustainable Future Inspired by Nature
Champagne is a product of nature. And for the last decade, Maison Perrier-Jouët has been working to
adapt its practices to promote the renewal of nature. In designing the new cellar, the teams were incredibly attentive to environmental and sustainability concerns, with nature as its focus. Of the crafting of the barrels, the goal was to remain as local and natural as possible.
All the wood for the barrels was sourced in France, and can be traced to a particular region or forest.
For the barrels, the wood comes from the forest of Saint Palais, in the Cher department (18) and from the
Darney forest in the Vosges department (88). For the foudres, the wood comes from the forest of Amboise in the Indre et Loire department (37). The slate used as natural chalkboards for each barrel and foudre – where the winemakers mark its contents – is also sourced in France, from the Pans de Travassac.
Beginning with the 2024 harvest, the cellar is already serving Maison Perrier-Jouët’s signature Chardonnay, including the grapes harvested from plots dedicated to regenerative agriculture. This is an extension of the Maison’s environmental initiatives, which will continue to grow, notably with the 2030 objective of having 100% of its vineyards under regenerative viticulture.
About Perrier-Jouët
Perrier-Jouët was founded in 1811 by a couple united by their love of nature and passion for art.
From the start, they chose the Chardonnay grape variety as the signature of the House, defining the floral
style which sets Perrier-Jouët champagnes apart. For more than two centuries, Maison Perrier-Jouët has
evolved in close relationship with nature, guided by the free spirit of its founders and the exuberance of the Art Nouveau movement. Nature remains its primary source of inspiration. The Earth is a common garden, which the House cultivates as it crafts its champagnes. Fired by creative freedom, Maison Perrier-Jouët nurtures a joyful, positive vision of the world.
