Caroline Fiot | Ruinart

Maison Ruinart is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline Fiot as its new Cellar Master

Maison Ruinart is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline Fiot as its new Cellar Master.

She succeeds Frédéric Panaïotis, who had held the role since 2007 and sadly passed away earlier this year.

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

As the promising 2025 harvest comes to a close and base wine tastings begin, Caroline Fiot is gradually joining the Maison as of today. She will officially assume the role of Cellar Master on January 1, 2026.

As a true chardonnay expert, she will shape the Maison’s emblematic cuvées, preserving the harmony and elegance at the heart of its wines. She will also build on Ruinart’scommitment to innovation from vineyard to glass, while strengthening its dedication to sustainable viticulture.

“Transmission and excellence are core values at Maison Ruinart. They uphold a savoir-faire nearly three centuries old, which continuously evolves and perfects itself. We are delighted to welcome Caroline Fiot as our new Cellar Master. She was trained alongside Frédéric Panaïotis for nearly a decade and has been a key member of our tasting committee since 2016. She will now continue the work of her predecessor, upholding the precision and freshness that define our champagnes.”

FRÉDÉRIC DUFOUR, PRESIDENT, MAISON RUINART.

BIOGRAPHY

Caroline Fiot began her career working in the vineyards of Saint-Émilion. In 2016, Caroline joined Maison Ruinart as part of the winemaking team led by Cellar Master Frédéric Panaïotis.

She became a member of the tasting committee and oversaw fermentation processes during harvest. She led several R&D projects, including studies on lightstrike and its impact on Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, and contributed to the creation of the Second Skin case. She worked on adapting viticultural and winemaking practices to climate change, conducted micro-vinification trials to explore varietal adaptation, and helped develop the first edition of Ruinart Blanc Singulier.

After a stint at Chandon Argentina in 2020, she returned to Champagne in 2021 to take on responsibility for the Mont Aigu winemaking site at Maison Moët & Chandon. She was appointed Head of all winemaking facilities for Moët Hennessy’s maisons in Épernay.

Caroline Fiot returns to Ruinart as Cellar Master, entrusted with carrying forward the signature taste of chardonnay and the pioneering spirit of the Maison’s nearly three centuries of winemaking.

“It is a profound honour to continue shaping the Ruinart style, following in the footsteps of Frédéric Panaïotis. I share Champagne’s deep-rooted respect for time, and I’m proud to take my place in the history of a Maison guided by a visionary spirit since 1729.”

CAROLINE FIOT, CELLAR MASTER, MAISON RUINART.