Bollinger

Founded in 1829 in the village of Aÿ, in the Champagne region  of France, Bollinger was established by Athanase de Villermont, Paul Renaudin, and Jacques Bollinger. Jacques, a German immigrant, played a key role in shaping the brand, and eventually, it was his name which became synonymous with the house.

In 1854, Jacques Bollinger married Louise-Charlotte, who managed the house after his death in 1884, beginning a tradition of strong women in Bollinger’s history. Later, in 1918, Lily Bollinger, another key figure, took over following the death of her husband, Jacques Bollinger (the grandson of the original Jacques). 

Lily led the house with remarkable vision through turbulent times, including World War II, dedicating herself to quality, both in vineyard practices and wine production, and becoming an ambassador for Bollinger worldwide.

After Lily Bollinger’s passing in 1977, her nephew Claude d’Hautefeuille took over the leadership of the Bollinger Champagne house. Claude continued the legacy of quality and tradition set by his aunt, focusing on expanding the international reputation of Bollinger while preserving its dedication to traditional methods. 

He was then succeeded by his cousin, Christian Bizot, in the 1990s, who was known for his insistence on Bollinger’s independence and its traditional winemaking techniques, particularly the focus on ageing Champagne in oak barrels to enhance complexity.  

After Christian Bizot, the family continued to play an active role, with subsequent leaders including Ghislain de Montgolfier, a descendant of the Bollinger family, who led the house from 1994 to 2008, overseeing advancements in sustainability and vineyard management, as well as further reinforcing Bollinger’s position as a premium, family-owned Champagne house. 

It wasn’t until 2008 that, for the first time in its history, the House appointed a Chairman who was not a family member. With the Bollinger family’s support, Jérôme Philipon has continued his predecessor’s programme of modernisation and investment while at the same time preserving its traditional expertise.

Bollinger Champagne has built a unique cultural connection, particularly through its longstanding association with the James Bond films, where it has appeared as the spy’s Champagne of choice. This connection has further cemented Bollinger’s image as a Champagne of elegance and luxury.

Today, Bollinger remains independently family-owned, continuing the heritage and traditions set forth by Lily Bollinger and her successors, upholding its reputation for exceptional Champagne worldwide.