France, Champagne

Jacques Bollinger, who was born at Ellwanger in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, came to Champagne in 1822. In 1829, together with Hennequin de Villermont and Paul Levieux Renaudin, he founded the Champagne House of Bollinger Renaudin at Aÿ. The Bollinger family have managed the House ever since. Despite Paul Renaudin dying without issue, his name remained on the label until the 1960s.

Perhaps the most famous member of the Bollinger family was 'Lilly' Bollinger who married Jacques' great grandson and took over the company when he died in 1941. She is responsible for the famous quote

'I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty'

Except in the very best vintages, only the first pressings are used (the rest being sold off) and Bollinger still carry out first fermentations in oak.

Bollinger own around 160ha of vineyard which account for about 60% of their requirements. A certified B Corp for their environmentally conscious approach, most of their acreage is in Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. They are planted to about 60% Pinot Noir.

Bollinger are also famous for being one of the largest producers for favouring barrel fermentation. They are the only company with their own dedicated cooper, with 5000+ older barrels used only for the fermentation of their Grand Cru and Premier Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.