Frédéric Zeimett

Frédéric Zeimett is the man in charge at Maison Leclerc-Briant. Beforehand, he’d spent 11 years at Moët, 2 at Pommery and was managing director of Michel Chapoutier’s wine empire for 2 years as well, quite the CV! His arrival at Leclerc-Briant followed that in 2012 of two new American owners, Denise Dupré and Mark Nunelly. Whereas in earlier years, the Maison enjoyed a peaceful, laid back existence, cultivating their grapes organically, producing well-made champagne, if perhaps a bit lacklustre at times. Yet the new owners saw something else – a beautiful Epernay champagne house founded in 1872 where a philosophy of organic winemaking has reigned since the 1940s! The estate is composed of 8 hectares owned directly, and they buy an additional 15 hectares of grapes each year. Today, they’ve cultivated a sterling image as one of the great champagne houses, vinifying grand cru champagnes without sulphur and with zero dosage, and even labelled 100% vegan. It’s no wonder their bubbly is making such a splash!