Pol Roger
THE HOUSE: In its 175 years of history, Pol Roger has carved out one of the most flattering reputations in the select circle of the leading Champagne brands.
THE FAMILY: For six generations, the descendants have been equally demanding, remaining loyal to the strategy initiated from the very beginning by the firm's founder.
1849 - 1899 POL ROGER: The Rogers lived in Aÿ, a village famous for its vineyards, lying at the foot of the Montagne de Reims. Pol Roger was only 18 when, on 2nd January 1849, he made his first sale of wine. Circumstances obliged him to take such an initiative: his father, a notary, contracted an incurable disease and had to give up his practice.
The family settled in Épernay in 1851, where the firm would be able to develop.
When Pol Roger died of pneumonia in 1899, his two sons were ready to take over from him.
1900 - 1918 MAURICE & GEORGES ROGER: Maurice and Georges Roger took over from their father, Pol. They had worked alongside him since the age of 18. The two brothers' determination enabled the firm to overcome a catastrophe, when in February 1900, the cellars collapsed.
In that same year, they obtained the right to change their family name to "Pol-Roger", as a tribute to their father. The "Pol-Rogers" were active participants in viti-vinicultural organisations and other professional associations.
In 1912, Maurice was elected Mayor of Épernay. He acted in an exemplary fashion during the German occupation of the town in 1914.
1946 - 1999 ODETTE & JACQUES POL-ROGER: The pair of brothers, Maurice and Georges, proved very successful.
Maurice was the "voice" of the firm, taking care of its public relations, sales and marketing.
Georges was the "nose", sometimes described as the taster-in-chief, looking after the making of the champagne. The latter was also in charge of the financial management.
The year 1927, with the arrival of Jacques, Maurice's son, heralded the arrival of a third generation in the firm. In the 40s, Odette Pol-Roger, became friends with Winston Churchill.
1946 - 1999 THE THIRD, FORTH & FIFTH GENERATIONS: Georges Pol-Roger passed away in 1950, Maurice in 1959. The third and fourth generations of the family began to run the company. Jacques and Jean were at the controls, assisted by Christian de Billy (Maurice Pol-Roger's grandson).
In 1963, Christian Pol-Roger arrived to strengthen this collegial management.
The first member of the fifth generation entered the business in 1988: Hubert de Billy, son of Christian, became Sales Manager for France. Patrice Noyelle, who is not a member of the founding family, joined the management team in 1997.
2000 - 2013 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Patrice Noyelle, President of the Board of Directors, oversees the running of the company. He works side by side with Hubert de Billy, Export and Marketing Director, who is also a member of the Board of Directors.
In 2006, Christian Pol-Roger was appointed to the Supervisory Board and Laurent d'Harcourt took over the position of Export Manager. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008.
The Supervisory Board is comprised of Christian de Billy, Christian Pol-Roger, Aymar le Roux, Veronique Collard de Billy and Evelyne de Billy.
SINCE 2013 LAURENCE DE BILLY, EVELYNE DE BILLY, VÉRONIQUE COLLARD DE BILLY AND HUBERT DE BILLY: In June 2013, Patrice Noyelle left his position as President of the Board of Directors of Pol Roger and Laurent d'Harcourt succeeded him. Patrice Noyelle was appointed to the Supervisory Board, joining Christian Pol-Roger, Aymar le Roux, Véronique Collard de Billy, Laurence de Billy and Evelyne de Billy, under Christian de Billy's presidency.
In June 2015, the Supervisory Board of Champagne POL ROGER appointed Isabelle Gautier, Financial Director, to the Board of Directors. She joined Laurent d'Harcourt, President of the Board of Directors and Hubert de Billy. The Board of Directors is also supported by the skills of Evelyne de Billy, Vineyard Manager, and Damien Cambres, Cellar Master since April 2018.
On January 1st 2019, Véronique Collard de Billy took over from her father, Christian de Billy, as President of the Supervisory Board of Pol Roger, and Christian de Billy became vice-president.
In November 2020, Bastien Collard de Billy, the first member of the sixth generation, joined the house as General Secretary.