When Caroline Fiot stepped into the role of Cellar Master at Maison Ruinart in January 2026, following Frédéric Panaïotis’ untimely passing in 2025, it marked more than a generational transition, it signaled a carefully orchestrated continuation of one of Champagne’s most enduring identities. Her appointment carries both emotional weight and strategic clarity.

When most people think of Champagne, the image is almost cinematic: candlelit chalk cellars, impeccably dressed servers, and labels steeped in centuries of tradition. The region has long been defined by heritage, prestige, and rigid rules. But a conversation with Camille Jullien Gilardi, co-founder and Marketing director of EPC Champagne, reveals a company determined to rewrite that script and pop that bubble of convention.