We are pleased to share the restructuring of the Champagne Bollinger team to support their ‘ambitious’ plans for their Bicentenary year.

In 2022, Maison Bollinger announced the launch of their “Ambitious Plans for the Bicentenary Year”, to be celebrated in 2029.  These Ambitious Plans include the renovation of a historic site with the creation of a cathedral like cellar open to the vineyard, the development of a unique oenotourism site and the launch of an environmental and societal charter. These projects are already underway and will be completed over the course of the next few years.

Alongside this, Champagne Bollinger have announced a new team structure, that reflects the Maison’s history and values. Following the departure of Gilles Descôtes (Chef de Cave) from the business due to health reasons, the Maison is setting up a new, innovative team that aligns with its vision and which is centred around three exceptional individuals:

• Denis Bunner appointed Chief Wine Maker. Denis will sit at the head of the Wine Committee and becomes a member of the Bollinger Management Team. He is responsible for maintaining the outstanding quality of the wines by managing the blending process and continuing to drive innovation that reinforces Bollinger’s winemaking expertise. (Denis Bunner, graduate of AgroParis Tech and ESSEC, was recruited by Gilles Descôtes in 2013 as Deputy Cellar Master).
• Gael Vuille appointed Vineyard and Grape Supply Director. Also to become a member of the Bollinger Management Team, Gael will be tasked with maintaining the excellent quality of wine and supplies. (Gael Vuille graduated from ENSA Montpellier as an Agronomist and was recruited by Gilles Descôtes in 2008 as Vineyard Manager).
• Benoît Pernod, Director of Operations. Benoit joined Champagne Bollinger in 2022 and is a member of the Management Team. He is responsible for all production operations and oversees the Bicentenary projects. (Benoit graduated from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes d’Ingénieur as an Engineer and has a wealth of experience in the mineral industry, glass and, more recently, in an agricultural cooperative).

This new team is fully aligned with the vision and the previous work undertaken by Gilles Descôtes over the past 20 years.

We wish the new team all the success in their new positions and look forward to working with them.