A winemaker called Émilien Boutillat has just been awarded one of the most coveted jobs in the world of wine.
Boutillat will join Champagne Bollinger later this year as Cellar Master, a role that will see him entrusted with preserving and deepening the expression of the style and identity of the esteemed Champagne House, while guiding it through a new chapter.
Born and raised in Champagne, where his family has been established for generations, Boutillat joins Bollinger after experience at Château Margaux in Bordeaux, and Domaine de la Solitude in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
He has also has had stints in New Zealand (Mud House), the US (Peter Michael Winery), Chile (Viu Manent) and South Africa (La Motte).
He was Cellar Master of the Cattier and Armand de Brignac Houses, before joining Piper-Heidsieck in 2018, where he has served as Cellar Master until now.
“We are delighted to welcome Émilien to Champagne Bollinger," says Charles Armand de Belenet, managing director of Champagne Bollinger.
"His career, his exacting standards and his vision of winemaking will be invaluable assets in preserving and advancing the style of the House, while supporting its evolution in the next chapters of its history.
"On the eve of its Bicentenary, this appointment is fully aligned with the House’s ambition to prepare for the future while remaining faithful to the values, savoir faire and commitments that define its singularity.”
Boutillat describes joining Bollinger as a great honour.
"Its history, craftsmanship and commitments are unique strengths that will continue to shape its future," he says. "I look forward to being part of this collective endeavour, working alongside the teams to balance respect for tradition with openness to innovation."
Boutillat succeeds Denis Bunner, who was appointed chief winemaker in 2023.
* Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Champagne region, Champagne Bollinger is a family-owned, independent producer.
He was Cellar Master of the Cattier and Armand de Brignac Houses, before joining Piper-Heidsieck in 2018, where he has served as Cellar Master until now.
“We are delighted to welcome Émilien to Champagne Bollinger," says Charles Armand de Belenet, managing director of Champagne Bollinger.
"His career, his exacting standards and his vision of winemaking will be invaluable assets in preserving and advancing the style of the House, while supporting its evolution in the next chapters of its history.
"On the eve of its Bicentenary, this appointment is fully aligned with the House’s ambition to prepare for the future while remaining faithful to the values, savoir faire and commitments that define its singularity.”
Boutillat describes joining Bollinger as a great honour.
"Its history, craftsmanship and commitments are unique strengths that will continue to shape its future," he says. "I look forward to being part of this collective endeavour, working alongside the teams to balance respect for tradition with openness to innovation."
Boutillat succeeds Denis Bunner, who was appointed chief winemaker in 2023.
* Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Champagne region, Champagne Bollinger is a family-owned, independent producer.
