The Philosophy Behind Moet & Chandon

Staying in Chateau de Saran is by invitation only. Although it is a hotel, average people can’t book it unless you are royalty, Uma Thurman, or Roger Federer. As Baschiera said in an interview, “You will have to be in the know.” For him, it’s like being invited to a universe, in their case, it is 276 years of history spanning revolutions and wars, major sporting events and the Golden Globes, and includes figures such as Queen Victoria, Napoleon Bonaparte, Scarlet Johanssen and now Roger Federer, who as Moet & Chandon’s global brand ambassador since 2012 embodies the company’s values of success and style.

Distinguished guests exclusively invited at Chateau de Saran were variously treated to a sumptuous dinner prepared by Italian-born executive chef Marco Fadiga. They also experienced the traditional handpicking of grapes at harvest time, a number of tastings courtesy of cellar master Benoit Gouez who was chef de cave of the company since 1998. Gouez is credited as the man who dramatically improved the quality of the world’s biggest champagne brand so meeting him is an experience in itself. The event at Chateau de Saran was hosted by the brand’s owner and LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault.

Moet et Chandon began as Moet et Cie established by Claude Moet in 1743. The winery had nobles and aristocrats as clientele. The company changed its name in 1833 to Moet et Chandon when Remy Moët’s son-in-law, Pierre-Gabriel Chandon de Briailles partnered with Jean-Remy. In 1987, the largest luxury group in the world was created when Moët & Chandon, Hennessy Cognac, and Louis Vuitton merged to become to become LVMH (Louis-Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy).

Moet & Chandon believes that their loyal consumers understood the importance of extreme quality experiences and want to feel culturally enlightened by their purchases. Claude Moët, the founder of Moët & Chandon, a visionary and pioneer of his time, had the dream to share the magic of Moet with the world. His spirit of generosity and adaptability made Moët & Chandon the biggest champagne brand in the world and the champagne of choice for the tastemakers.

Moet & Chandon created Moet Summer House to bring together fashion, food, music, and film to reflect the glamour of the brand and celebrate London’s diversity. It will treat guests experience an urban oasis, complete with unmissable food, performances, and of course, champagne. Throughout the three-day event, champagne cocktails were served while a “Mini Moët movie club” celebrated the brand’s place in classic Hollywood films. Guests also indulged in the fashion backstage experience and had the chance to create a day look and transform this for the evening. Acqua di Parma and Givenchy provided beauty and grooming tips.

Apart from Moet Summer House in London, the champagne luxury brand marked the 150th anniversary of Moët Imperial with a global movement in champagne history. Moet & Chandon Grand Day was celebrated in 80 regions worldwide all gathered together to raise their champagne glasses in a worldwide toast.

The 2019 Moet Summer House – Recap

Apart from staging its Summer House activation in London, Moet & Chandon celebrated the 150th anniversary of its Imperial champagne by kicking various luxury events and parties all over the world. In Sydney on June 4, 2019, Moët ambassador Jesinta Franklin and Stéphane Baschier, Moet & Chandon’s President and Chief Executive, hosted a black-tie dinner at the Sydney Town Hall for 150 guests. The hall was transformed into a magnificent venue and the highlight of the party was the dramatically lit tower of coupe glasses 16 tiers high. One of Australia’s most popular chefs, Guillaume Brahimi prepared the menu. Dinner was paired with Moët Impérial from its new limited-edition anniversary bottles.

Another mega-event in 2019 for the luxury company was the unveiling of its spiritual home, Chateau de Saran. An 18th-century masterpiece, Chateau de Saran was originally built as a hunting lodge by Jean-Remy Moet, the grandson of Maison’s founder Claude Moët in 1801. Third-generation Jean-Remy was credited for making his family’s modest business into a famous champagne company. He was innately excellent at public relations and was good friends with notable people, including Napoleon Bonaparte.

The chateau was passed down from generations and even end up as a hospice in the 1950s before it was acquired by the owners of the Moët brand. In 2014, the restoration started and finished just in time for the 150th anniversary of Imperial, Moët’s flagship champagne.

Guests can apply to become a member of the Moët Summer House and it has been complimentary for its first two years. Registration for 2018 and 2019 was done through their website (currently close) with no fee required. One just needs to sign-up for a complimentary membership for the day’s event and you’ll get a chance to pop in and discover their immense line-up of champagne tastings, events, performances, dinners, incredible live acts, and masterclasses from some of the top-shelf talents in the creative world. Although most are free of charge, there are a few ticketed events each day.

The Moet Summer House returned on June 7, 2019, for another three-day activity. Similar to the first-year extravaganza, the 2019 event featured their committee of tastemakers, including model Jack Guinness, sustainability advocate Arizona Muse and nutrition expert Jasmine Hemsley. The trio created a program and line-up of events that were considered cultural, innovative, luxury, and fun – characters of Moet & Chandon event.

On the first day of the 2019 Summer House program, members had an opportunity to have their portrait taken by famed fashion photographer Candice Lake. The Australian born London-based blogger and photographer is also the style editor of Vogue. Guests were also treated to Sophie Faith and DJ Pips Taylor’s live musical performances. Ramsay-trained chef (and model) Isaac Carew prepared a sumptuous lunch, and extremely sharp-witted TV regular Katherine Ryan had a comedy set.

The following day, a casual Champagne-paired lunch and dinner with Jason Atherton were offered starting from £45. Other activities for the day include a food photography workshop, a Champagne cocktail masterclass, a screening of The Great Gatsby and Pretty Women with a glass of bubbly for £15, and a poetry reading by the lauded James Massiah from his book Optimism 101. To wrap the event, third-day attendees were treated with a jampack of activities including a live podcast recording of UNSUBSCRIBE. A pub quiz was again hosted by witty bon vivant Jack Guinness. One of the activities was a talk on the Art of Entertaining with event designer Fiona Leahy, TV Presenter Angela Scanlon, and nutrition expert Jasmine Hemsley. Of course, Jason Atherton prepared a Sunday roast for the guests.

Jordan Sanders writers for Forbe’s Blog, Sage, and more.

What is the Moet Summer House?

Designed and curated by Moët & Chandon, Moet Summer House is a unique pop-up members’ club launched on June 8, 2018. Moet Summer House is a combination of a private members club with Moet & Chandon support for fashion, food, film, and music to celebrate London’s diversity and reflect the glamour of the brand.

The inaugural event ran for three days and marked the start of London’s summer. The day-to-night line-up of cultural events took place in a Georgian mansion in the heart of Mayfair, somewhere between Buckingham Palace & Downing Street overlooking Grosvenor Square. Moet & Chandon is recognized not only for being the biggest champagne brand in the world but also for always being an innovator, organizer, and host of the most memorable parties around the globe.

Jack Guinness, Eric Underwood, and Portia Freeman lead the Summer House’s committee of tastemakers, created a program in 2018 that included both complimentary and paid events. Its first year was attended by Isaac Carew, Dame Natalie Massenet, Ophelia Lovibond, Tinie Tempah and more. Idris Elba was in attendance and took charge of the DJ decks. As the brand was celebrating its 275th year, champagne towers were poured from jeroboams. Guests enjoyed mini Moets in abundance and the first-ever champagne vending machine.

Opening day of the Summer House saw a live podcast with The High Low hosts’ Pandora Sykes and Dolly Alderton. Jason Atherton of Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social also served up a Sunday Roast at the Imperial Suite. Moet’s Wine Quality & Communications Manager hosted a champagne wine tasting, too. To cap the first night, Eric Underwood, former soloist of The Royal Ballet had a ballet curated performance. The following day, there was a live podcast with author and broadcaster Edith Bowman. From one o’clock, model-turned-TV chef Isaac Carew hosted a spectacular lunch, and Nick Mulvey provided the Saturday afternoon soundtrack inside the Grand Hall. The last day of the event saw Jason Atherton pouring Moet & Chandon served with another Sunday feast inside the Dining Room while a Moet’s champagne ambassadors took visitors on a journey on how the company creates every bottle, from grape to glass. The award-winning Gospel Touch Choir also performed at the Grand Hall entertaining guests with R’n’B and traditional hymns. Last but definitely not the least, Jack Guinness, with a sparkle of Moet on top, hosted a pub quiz covering everything pop culture and luxury.