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Maison Ruinart Announces New Cellar Master Caroline Fiot

“It is a profound honour to continue shaping the Ruinart style, following in the footsteps of Frederic Panaïotis. I share Champagne’s deep-rooted respect for time, and I’m proud to take my place in the history of a Maison guided by a visionary spirit since 1729,” said Caroline Fiot, Cellar Master of Maison Ruinart

Founded in 1729 in Reims, Moët Hennessy owned Maison Ruinart announces a historic transition with the appointment of Caroline Fiot as new Cellar Master.

Fiot steps into the role following the passing of her mentor, Frederic Panaïotis, and will officially assume her duties on 1 January 2026.

Maison Ruinart former Cellar Master Frederic Panaïotis (1964 – 2025), a passionate freediver with over fifteen years of experience, passed away at age 60 in a freediving accident on 15 June 2025 in Rochefontaine, Belgium. He joined Ruinart in 2007 after 12 years at Veuve Clicquot. Panaïotis released the first edition of Ruinart Blanc Singulier label in 2023. The zero-dosage cuvée was the first addition to the Ruinart portfolio in more than two decades

As the promising 2025 harvest comes to a close, Caroline Fiot is gradually integrating with the Maison, beginning with the critical tasting of the base wines.

Caroline Fiot began her career in the vineyards of Saint-Emilion before joining Maison Ruinart in 2016 as part of the winemaking team led by former Cellar Master Frederic Panaïotis.

She quickly became a key member of the tasting committee and oversaw fermentation processes during harvest. At Ruinart, she led several pioneering Research and Development projects, including studies on lightstrike and its impact on Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, and contributed to the creation of the Second Skin case. Her work also focused on adapting viticultural practices to climate change, conducted micro-vinification trials to explore varietal adaptation, and helping to develop the first edition of Ruinart Blanc Singulier.

After a formative stint at Chandon Argentina in 2020, she returned to Champagne in 2021 as Director of the Mont Aigu winemaking site at Maison Moët & Chandon, later being appointed Head of all winemaking facilities for Moët Hennessy’s maisons in Épernay.

Now, Caroline Fiot returns to Maison Ruinart as Cellar Master, entrusted with carrying forward the signature taste of chardonnay and the pioneering spirit of the Maison’s nearly three centuries of winemaking.

“Transmission and excellence are core values at Maison Ruinart. They uphold a savoir-faire nearly three centuries old, which continuously evolves and perfects itself. We are delighted to welcome Caroline Fiot as our new Cellar Master. She was trained alongside Frédéric Panaïotis for nearly a decade and has been a key member of our tasting committee since 2016. She will now continue the work of her predecessor, upholding the precision and freshness that define our champagnes,” shared Frédéric Dufour, President of Maison Ruinart

Masion Ruinart was founded on 1 September 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart in Reims

Maison Ruinart Crayères cellar is approximately 40 metres beneath the surface. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 8-kilometre labyrinth of white former chalk quarries is where Ruinart champagnes slowly mature, developing their distinctive character

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