The Champagne house based in Reims was founded in 1729 by the cloth merchant Nicolas Irénée Ruinart (1697-1769), who sold wine from his vineyard in addition to cloth to his customers. His uncle was the Benediktiner Dom Thierry Ruinart (1657-1709), who visited the famous abbey Hautvillers, learned about Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715) and his Weinbereitung techniques, and died and was buried there.
Dom Ruinart recognized during his trading trips in Europe the future potential for the production of Champagner through the growing enthusiasm at the aristocratic courts. Inspired by his prominent uncle, Nicolas Ruinart dedicated himself to the winemaking techniques of the Benedictine monks. He was supported by his son Claude Ruinart (1731-1798), and the company name was expanded to Ruinart Père et Fils. After the father's death, Claude moved the company's headquarters from Epernay to Reims and expanded the champagne trade.
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