About us

The main office of the worldwide organisation is based in Reims, France, the centre of the Champagne industry. The first Chapter in the UK was formed in Manchester in 1973; one of the founder members being Dr J.K.Mills (RIP), appointed in December 2013 an Honorary Life Consul of the UK and former member of our North of England executive committee. The national organisation is now headed by an Ambassador and a Consul General for the UK and there are Consulates in London, ours in North of England and in Jersey, each headed by a Consul. The current Consul-General for the UK as a whole is Don Morris, based in London and the UK Ambassador is Robert Powell. Membership is comprised of people of all ages, from all ‘walks of life’ and who are true followers of Champagne who are prepared to support its style and prestige and who enjoy first class “gastronomie” with excellent Champagne Écuyers (persons awaiting investiture), who must be proposed and seconded by members of good standing and approved by the Head Office in Reims, are promoted to the grade of Chevalier at a ceremony preceding an official dinner. Other grades, in ascending order are Officiers, Chambellans and Consul.

Ordre history

The three original members of the group were the Marquis de St Everemond, the Marquis de Bois Dauphin and Comte d’Olonne and were dubbed ‘Les Trois Coteaux’ and later ‘L’Ordre des Coteaux’ as others joined their sophisticated group. These events coincided with the early beginnings of sparkling Champagne developed by Dom Pérignon, Dom Ruinart and others.The Marquis de St Everemond later fled to England having incurred the displeasure of Louis XIV and established himself at the Court of the newly restored Charles II. He imported the wines of Champagnes from his old associates in that area which soon became the fashionable tipple of the English nobility.

After a silence of three centuries, a group of ‘Champenois’, led by Roger Gaucher and Francois Taittinger who did much of the historical research, decided to give their region an official confraternity. Thus in 1956 the revival of the ‘Ordres des Coteaux’ began with the support of the ‘Grand Marque’ Champagne houses of Taittinger, Laurent Perrier, Mercier, Lanson and Mumm.

Today over 5000 members belong to the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne following in the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors.The Ordre is supported by the Champagne industry and the C.I.V.C. (Comité Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne) and is run by the ‘Conseil Chapitral’, based in Reims, composed of “dignitaires,” two thirds of whom come from the industry. Heading this committee is the ‘Commandeur’ elected for one year, with the possibility of one year renewal.

The role of the Ordre Is to promote the wines of Champagne and to spread knowledge and information about those wines outside France, Ambassadors and Consuls represent the Ordre in many countries e.g. Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, USA, Japan, Australia etc. where Chapter events are held regularly. Official Chapters of the parent body are held three times a year in the Champagne region.

Our aims