Fifth-generation Champenois brings deep-rooted heritage and contemporary perspective to the enduring home
August 4, 2025 (Napa, CA) — Charles Heidsieck is proud to announce the appointment of Émilien Erard as its new Chef de Caves. A fifth-generation member of a Champagne winegrowing household, Émilien represents a gathering of heritage—combining deep regional roots with an intimate data of the Maison’s identification and elegance.
A local of Champagne, Émilien brings to the function over 15 years of expertise and a profound connection to the area’s terroir and traditions. A graduate of the Université de Reims Champagne- Ardenne with a Nationwide Diploma in Oenology, Émilien started his winemaking journey at Billecart- Salmon and later held positions at Ayala and in regional cooperatives. His background reflects each technical precision and an everlasting appreciation for the land and other people behind every cuvée.
Émilien joined Charles Heidsieck in 2018 to handle vineyard operations and over time expanded his function to incorporate grower partnerships and winery sourcing. In 2022, he grew to become a member of the Tasting Committee, contributing to the mixing of the Maison’s cuvées and serving to define the Charles Heidsieck model—identified for its generosity, depth, and distinctive growing old potential.
“Émilien is Champagne by way of and thru,” mentioned Stephen Leroux, CEO of Charles Heidsieck. “His roots as a fifth-generation grower and his expertise inside our partitions make him uniquely suited to steer our winemaking imaginative and prescient. With Émilien, it’s actually heritage assembly heritage—guided by a considerate, fashionable method to the craft.”
At the moment, Émilien leads the cellar workforce in shaping the way forward for Charles Heidsieck’s wines, that are matured deep underground within the Maison’s historic Gallo-Roman Crayères beneath Reims— acquired by the founder in 1867. There, time is handled because the fourth varietal, a philosophy on the coronary heart of the Charles Heidsieck model, constructed on reserve wines, time, mixing, and texture.
“It’s an important honor to step into this function,” mentioned Émilien Erard. “Charles Heidsieck has all the time stood aside for its dedication to growing old, its use of reserve wines, and its quiet confidence. I stay up for persevering with that legacy whereas evolving our model with care and conviction.”
At simply 35 years outdated, Émilien is among the many youngest Chef de Caves main a Grand Marque Champagne home—bringing a dynamic perspective grounded in deep custom. His appointment reflects a deep-rooted respect for heritage—each that of the Maison and his family, who’ve grown grapes in Champagne for five generations beneath the title Champagne Erard-Salmon.
About Charles Heidsieck
Champagne Charles Heidsieck is without doubt one of the most revered Champagne homes, primarily based in Reims, France. Based in 1851, Champagne Charles Heidsieck is among the many few status manufacturers carrying the Grandes Marques distinction, and the first producer to carry Champagne to the US. 5 generations have been answerable for the Home’s fortune, carrying the preliminary imaginative and prescient of a champagne of utmost high quality. Since 1851, the authenticity and conviction of the person identified to the Individuals as ‘Champagne Charlie’ have impressed the distinctive signature of his champagnes matured within the Home’s chalk cellars. Charles Heidsieck champagnes supply a novel mix of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, mixed with greater than 50 % of mature Charles Heidsieck reserve wines, and aged for a median of 10 years. Every bottle matures in chalk cellars for greater than 3 years, as much as 40 years for collector bottles. This maturation time is important for the event of the fragrant complexity, the silky texture and refined high quality, typical of Charles Heidsieck champagnes. Acclaimed internationally, Champagne Charles Heidsieck has been named Glowing Winemaker of the 12 months 13 instances on the Worldwide Wine Problem (IWC) and awarded with quite a few Grand Or medals, Finest in Present, Trophies and Gold medals throughout its illustrious historical past. Its buy in 2011 by Christofer Descours and the EPI group enabled Charles Heidsieck to shortly bounce again with a brand new and worldwide ambition. www.charlesheidsieck.com.
