Covering the chalk plains and hills of eastern France, Champagne, home to the most famous sparkling wines in the world, welcomed an A-list crowd with an exclusive sparkling soirée and a dinner prepared by two Michelin-starred chefs on May 22 in front of one of the grandest 19th-century homes.
Alongside Roger Federer, Kate Moss and Uma Thurman, about 100 other guests had all come aboard a specially commandeered Orient Express train in Paris earlier that day for the unveiling of Château de Saran, a property of Moët & Chandon since 1801, with a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Moët Imperial, the signature champagne of the Maison.
Château de Saran was built for Jean-Remy Moët, grandson of the founder of Moët & Chandon in the village of Chouilly. In the lush landscape of Champagne, the house that was originally built as a hunting lodge turned into a family residence that has entertained the Maison’s most distinguished guests. After a five-year restoration, the renovated Château de Saran will once again become the site of festive celebrations for Moët & Chandon’s honored guests.
“We are thrilled to welcome our honored guests to the beautifully-restored Château de Saran to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial in grand style, and to mark a pivotal moment in our House’s history,” Stéphane Baschiera, President and CEO of Moët & Chandon, told LVMH.
Following the cocktail hour, guests were greeted with a seated dinner inside a striking mirrored structure set among the vineyard. The four-course, seafood-centric dinner with wine pairings was created by the three-Michelin-starred duo: Yannick Alléno and Dominique Crenn.
The evening did not stop there. The house lights were lowered, while the guests all looked toward a transparent wall as instructed. A stunning fireworks display erupted in the adjacent fields with a live piano performance by Freya Ridings to close out the evening.
“Elegant, generous, and beautiful,” said Roger Federer as fireworks sparkled across the sky.
Image & Video Credit: © Moët & Chandon courtesy of LVMH
