The viticultural tradition of Maison Ruinart has its roots in almost three centuries of history. It is 1729, to be exact, the year of the foundation of Ruinart, which boasts the reputation of "the oldest Maison de Champagne".
Its origin is attributed to Dom Thierry Ruinart (1657-1709), historian and Benedictine monk at the abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, who, with his strong visionary mind, was the first to understand the potential of that wine with bubbles, not yet called “Champagne”, which was becoming popular among the salons of the aristocracy. This strong interest also involved his young nephew Nicolas Ruinart, a drapery merchant in Reims, who, inspired by his uncle's passion and dedication, started the first accounting register dedicated to the "vin de bulles" on 1 September 1729.
Thus begins the history of Champagne Ruinart, a heritage that unfolds over the centuries, excellence handed down from generation to generation, unique masterpieces that today reach markets all over the world.
Always committed to an environmentally friendly business model, what Maison Ruinart wants to communicate is also an ethical message, promoting and disseminating responsible viticulture careful to the conservation of biodiversity and the safeguarding of the terroir to which it is so strongly connected. Over the last ten years, the Maison has reduced the use of chemical products by 40% and suspended the use of herbicides. Furthermore, it has obtained the double environmental certification Viticulture Durable en Champagne and Haute Valeur Environnementale – HVE.
But not only. Its sustainability-oriented approach involved all the processes of the supply chain, from cultivation to the production phase, up to packaging and logistics. The Maison, for example, uses electric tractors in the vineyards and renewable sources during the winemaking processes; it also chooses sustainable conservation by exploiting the Crayères (gypsum quarries) to refine the wine at a constant temperature. Furthermore, since 2015, for the dégorgement process, a sustainable cooling liquid obtained from the fermentation of glucose has been used and this has allowed to reduce waste and consume less energy during this phase. The Maison has taken important steps aimed at reducing the ecological footprint: local suppliers are now favored for the purchase of bottles, gift boxes, corks and packaging, while 100% of the colored glass bottles are produced in Champagne by recycled material.
Ruinart's approach to sustainability is therefore a global approach that has pushed it to design innovative techniques and new creative forces also in the field of sustainable design: since 2015 it has definitively eliminated all plastic packaging and since 2020 it has launched the packaging "second skin” made from 99% recyclable paper.
The "second skin" is the realization of the Maison's commitment to fully integrate sustainability into its project, a concrete and tangible transformation of the corporate culture in its entirety. Champagne Blanc de Blancs and Champagne Rosé, the whole collection is characterized by a package produced with an innovative and sustainable material, a cellulose fiber inspired by nature and by Crayères, the historic cellars of the Maison, declared a UNESCO world heritage site since 2015. The style is essential and refined, an elegant and light recyclable packaging (its weight is nine times less than the previous model) which perfectly enhances the curves of the iconic bottle. Furthermore, the engraved monogram of the Maison makes it a linear creation to Ruinart's refined and distinct style. The function of the case is not only aesthetic but also functional, as it preserves the integrity of the Champagne by protecting it from light.
Following the common thread of sustainable packaging, Maison Ruinart also offers the “chalk wrap” packaging designed for the Dom Ruinart collection, currently being released with its Dom Ruinart 2010 cuvée. A chalk white wrapper which with its particular jagged lines recalls the carved rock. Also in this case the reference to the nature is explicit: the chalk, typical of the Montagne de Reims terroir, and the Maison's Crayères, dug into the chalk where the Champagne ages. The hand-applied gold writing enhances the extraordinary character of the cuvée.
A global strategy focused on actions aimed at promoting viticulture in balance with the ecosystem and a concept of green creativity are the present and future fulcrum of action of Ruinart, which with this project celebrates the return to nature as a priority and defines its active participation in the challenges of sustainable development.
Discover HERE all the Ruinart Champagnes collection