Reaching For The Light

Family-owned Champagne Henriot has appointed cellar master Alice Tétienne to take on both vineyard and winemaking duties, which the 31-year-old is more than ready for.

- June Lee

There are few things rarer in the Champagne region than a female chef de cave (cellar master), but a new generation of determined women are changing all that. In April this year, Alice Tétienne took over the role at Champagne Henriotfrom departing Laurent Fresnet, who spent 13 years at the house.More unusually, Tétienne will be overseeing both vineyards and winemaking, two roles which are usually separated, but which she qualifies in.

Gilles de Larouzière, president of Champagne Henriot and representative of the 8 th generation of the Henriot family, explains,“Alice clearly stood out. The first meeting we had, we carried outa long conversation about viticulture, quality and sustainability.I immediately understood she was able to articulate a clear and thorough vision of her work and could bring Henriot a step further on both viticulture and wine.” Larouzière adds that the appointment brought about “special thought” for the widowApolline Henriot, who founded the house in 1808 after the death ofher husband Nicolas.

HAPPIEST IN NATURE

Born in Champagne, or as Tétienne describes, “immersed in the vineyard since being a baby,” she started studying viticulture as it was her first passion. With a Bachelor’s in Vine Sciences and Master’s in Vine and Terroir, and finally a National Diploma of

Oenologist in Reims in 2015, she worked at Centre Vinicole Nicolas Feuillatte and Maison Krug before being tapped for Henriot.