Pol Roger arrived in Épernay in 1849 with little more than determination and an understanding that great wine begins in the vineyard. Unlike the merchant princes building empires around him, Roger focused on acquiring the finest parcels across the Champagne appellation. His first cellar, carved into the chalk beneath what is now the Avenue de Champagne, remains the heart of the house today. By 1876, his champagnes were already finding their way to London's most discerning tables — a relationship that would prove prophetic.
Tradition, excellence, and the art of time — three pillars that have guided this family house for five generations.
Christian Pol-Roger, the current head of the family, puts it simply: 'We make champagne as if we were still a small grower.' This means hand-riddling in pupitres, extended aging well beyond legal requirements, and maintaining their own cooperage. Each cuvée undergoes malolactic fermentation — unusual for houses seeking crisp acidity — because they believe complexity trumps simple freshness. Their 7 kilometers of cellars, among the deepest in Champagne, maintain a constant 10°C temperature that allows the wines to develop slowly and completely.
Not sure where to start? The quiz takes four minutes and ends with a specific bottle recommendation.
Find your Champagne moment →The house's calling card opens with white flowers and citrus zest, building to a mid-palate richness that speaks of patient cellar aging. Clean mineral finish with just enough dosage to highlight the fruit without masking the terroir.
Power and finesse in equal measure. Pinot Noir dominance brings weight and structure, while extended aging adds layers of brioche and honey. The mousse is persistent but never aggressive — exactly what you'd expect from a wine crafted to honor Britain's wartime leader.
Private tours by appointment only, limited to 8 people maximum. The 90-minute experience includes the historic cellars, a presentation of the méthode champenoise, and tasting of three cuvées in the family's private salon.
1 Rue Winston Churchill, 51200 Épernay, France
Villa Eugène — This intimate 15-room property sits just steps from Pol Roger's cellars, housed in a restored 19th-century mansion with period details and modern comfort.