Richard Geoffroy - Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave's photostream

RICHARD GEOFFROY
DOM PÉRIGNON CHEF DE CAVE

Richard Geoffroy, the scion of a long line of Côte des Blanc winegrowers, was born in the heart of
Champagne country in 1954, in the town of Vertus, set amid the Chardonnay vineyards. Going against
what might have seemed to be a predestined career in the world of wine, he took up medicine and
received his doctorate in 1982. He then went back to his roots and enrolled in the École Nationale
d’OEnologie in Reims. Today, he never wonders why he gave up medicine but why he didn’t respond to
the call of the vine in the first place. This detour, however, only made the return to the source more
rewarding.

Geoffroy began his second career in wine in the Napa Valley, an experience that taught him the basics of
the business. He became the technical adviser for Domaines Chandon, acting as a link between
Champagne and the New World vineyards. This was a second detour in his career: he learned his trade
on foreign soil before fully exercising it in Champagne.

A PASSION FOR CREATION

Named Dom Pérignon’s Chef de Cave in 1990, Geoffroy has been watching over the destiny of this
legendary wine ever since. As the creator of Dom Pérignon, he takes a personal interest in the wine, an
international symbol of all that is best in Champagne. He alone is responsible for deciding whether or
not to declare a Dom Pérignon vintage.
How does he handle this weighty responsibility? “It mustn’t become an obsession,” he says, “or it would be a
strong hindrance to action. Total commitment is the best antidote to stress, the most effective way of forgetting
about the pressure.”

Richard Geoffroy speaks of disciplined organization and control of his time as basic requirements for
maintaining equilibrium in his work and helping him to remain open and reactive. Geoffroy is constantly
seeking this equilibrium, which gives him full possession of his resources and allows him to respond to
the demands of this paradoxical wine, so complex yet so harmonious.