Ruinart – Founded in 1729

Short History

Founded in Reims in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart, Ruinart is widely recognised as the first Champagne house and remains closely associated with Chardonnay, elegance, freshness, and its historic chalk crayères.

Long Description

Ruinart occupies a singular place in Champagne as the first established house and one of the clearest benchmarks for Chardonnay-led elegance in Reims. Its identity rests not only on age and prestige, but on a style built around purity, lift, and refinement rather than sheer weight. The historic crayères deepen that impression, giving the visit one of the most memorable architectural settings in the city. In the glass, the range moves from the luminous clarity of Blanc de Blancs to the more layered and ambitious Dom Ruinart expressions, making Ruinart a polished reference point for visitors who want major-house prestige with finesse rather than force.

What Makes This House Unique

• The first Champagne house, founded in 1729.
• Strong Chardonnay identity expressed through freshness, purity, and elegance.
• Historic Reims crayères that give the visit exceptional architectural depth.

Signature Style

Elegant, Chardonnay-led Champagne with freshness, citrus clarity, and a refined, polished profile.

Range Highlights

• Ruinart Blanc de Blancs — the clearest expression of the house’s Chardonnay identity, built around freshness, rounded texture, and finesse.
• Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs — prestige vintage expression of the house style, showing greater layering, structure, and ageing potential; Antonio Galloni, 98 pts.
• Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010 — a more mature, cellar-worthy reading of Ruinart’s refined Chardonnay profile; Robert Parker / Wine Advocate, 94 pts.

Visitor Praise Highlights

• Visitors often praise the historic chalk cellars as one of the most memorable cellar settings in Reims.
• Guides are frequently described as knowledgeable and polished, with clear explanations of the house’s history and style.
• Tastings are valued for showing the elegance and precision of the Chardonnay-led range.

Similar Vineyards

• Taittinger — another Chardonnay-led Reims benchmark, but with a slightly more classical and family-inflected prestige profile.
• Veuve Clicquot — a stronger Pinot-led benchmark contrast for visitors comparing finesse against structure and house heritage.

Nearby Restaurants

• Le Jardin — Reims — Bistronomic; immediate Saint-Nicaise lunch fit near Ruinart.
• Le Crypto — Reims — Casual / bistro; practical central-Reims lunch option with easier midday fit.

Best for

Prestige-focused visitors, Chardonnay lovers, first-time Reims travellers, and guests who want a refined major-house visit with strong heritage and visual impact.

Less ideal for

Visitors looking for a rustic grower experience, a casual family-estate tasting, or a heavily Pinot Noir-driven Champagne profile.

Why choose this over nearby houses

Choose Ruinart for the combination of first-house history, Chardonnay-led elegance, and one of the strongest cellar settings in Reims.

Route fit

Best as a major Reims anchor stop, especially paired with a contrasting Pinot Noir-led or broader benchmark house.