Beyond the most publicized houses, three names shine with singular brilliance: Ruinart, the eldest founded in 1729; Salon, the champagne of one grape, one cru, one vintage; and Bollinger, guardian of the Vieilles Vignes Françaises. Three philosophies, three legends.
Ruinart: The Oldest Champagne House (1729)
Founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart, it is the oldest champagne house in the world. Its crayères (Gallo-Roman chalk cellars) are UNESCO World Heritage sites — 8 kilometers of underground galleries.
Ruinart is the house of Chardonnay. Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is a masterpiece of finesse and minerality.
Salon: The Absolute of Champagne
Salon is the champagne of superlatives: one grape (Chardonnay), one cru (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger), one vintage. Founded in 1911, it has produced only 37 vintages in over a century.
Salon S requires 10+ years aging on lees — a wine of patience destined for enlightened collectors.
Bollinger: The Soul of Pinot Noir
Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, Bollinger is the house of Pinot Noir. Its legendary Vieilles Vignes Françaises (VVF) are from ungrafted Pinot Noir vines, preserved from phylloxera — a living vestige of pre-1870 viticulture. Production: approximately 3,000 bottles per vintage.
Bollinger R.D. (Récemment Dégorgé) offers extended lees aging followed by late disgorgement, revealing remarkable complexity and freshness.
Exceptional Trio Tasting
Experience a comparative Ruinart × Salon × Bollinger tasting orchestrated by our concierge. Rare vintages, food pairings, and prestigious settings.
Book My TastingFrequently Asked Questions
Ruinart, founded in 1729 in Reims. Its Gallo-Roman crayères are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Salon produces only in exceptional years with one grape (Chardonnay), one cru (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger), one vintage. Only 37 vintages in 100+ years.
Parcels of ungrafted Pinot Noir preserved from phylloxera. A living vestige of pre-1870 viticulture, producing ~3,000 bottles per vintage.
Récemment Dégorgé (Recently Disgorged). Extended lees aging with late disgorgement for exceptional complexity.
Ruinart: Chardonnay. Salon: Chardonnay (exclusively). Bollinger: Pinot Noir.
Dom Ruinart: from €180. Salon S: from €350. Bollinger VVF: from €500. Bollinger R.D.: from €200.
Yes. Adopte Une Conciergerie organizes private experiences including crayères and tastings. Contact us.
Our concierge offers private comparative tastings with rare vintages from all three houses.