Pol Roger

Pol Roger is one of the most respected champagne houses in the business, based on Avenue de Champagne in Épernay — the famous street beneath which kilometres of chalk cellars hold the reserves of the region's biggest names. The house is still owned and run by descendants of its founder, a rare thing in an industry where most brands have long since passed into the hands of large drinks conglomerates.

What made this house so well known?

Founded in the 19th century in Épernay, at the heart of the Champagne region, the company has stayed in the same family ever since. Production runs at around 110,000 cases a year — a scale that keeps a close, hands-on grip on quality, unlike the industrial volumes produced by some larger rivals. That relatively modest size, paired with a consistent house style, has earned Pol Roger a reputation as one of the most respected names in Champagne, frequently singled out by sommeliers and wine critics.

The best-known chapter in the house's story is its long association with Winston Churchill, for whom Pol Roger was a lifelong favourite. In his honour, the house created a prestige cuvée bearing his name, now one of the most recognisable collector's champagnes in the world. That connection remains part of the brand's identity and is still a talking point during cellar visits today.

What is there to see?

The headquarters on Avenue de Champagne combine the classic architecture of 19th-century champagne mansions with a working production site — chalk cellars run beneath the buildings, where bottles age at a constant temperature for years at a time. The avenue itself, sometimes nicknamed the world's richest street for the concentration of champagne houses lining it, gives a visit here extra context: walking along it means passing the doors of some of the region's most famous producers.

A typical visit combines a short account of the family's and the region's history with a walk through the cellars, where you can follow the traditional method step by step — first fermentation, second fermentation in the bottle, hand riddling and disgorgement. Visits usually end with a tasting, a chance to try the house's signature style: fresh, precise, and marked by the bright acidity typical of the best non-vintage champagnes.

How to get there and when to visit

Épernay sits at the heart of the Champagne region, well connected by train from Paris (direct services take just over an hour) and by road through the Marne countryside. Avenue de Champagne, where the house is located, runs out from the town centre and is an easy walk from the railway station.

The best time to visit is spring through early autumn, when the greatest number of champagne houses offer guided cellar tours and the weather makes walking the avenue more pleasant. It's worth remembering that cellar visits usually require booking ahead, especially in the summer season and during the autumn grape harvest.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pol Roger associated with Winston Churchill? The British prime minister was a devoted fan of the house's champagne for decades, and Pol Roger created a prestige cuvée named in his honour — now one of the most recognisable collector's champagnes anywhere.

Is Pol Roger still owned by its founding family? Yes, the house remains owned and run by descendants of its founder, setting it apart from many brands that have been bought up by large drinks groups.

Where exactly is the Pol Roger house located? On Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, the street that concentrates the headquarters of the region's most important champagne producers.

How should I prepare for a cellar visit? Book a tour in advance, particularly during peak season, and set aside time to walk the length of Avenue de Champagne to see the neighbouring houses as well.