The House of Krug
The House of Krug was founded in Reims in 1843 by Joseph Krug, a visionary non-conformist with a steadfast philosophy. Understanding that the true essence of Champagne lies in pleasure, he aspired to craft the finest Champagne possible each year, irrespective of climate variations. By meticulously observing the character of the vineyards, honoring the uniqueness of each plot and its wine, and creating an extensive library of reserve wines from various years, Joseph Krug was able to realize his dream.
With an innovative approach to Champagne production, he moved beyond the traditional notion of vintage, aiming to create a generous expression of Champagne annually. He established a House where all Champagnes possess the same level of distinction.
The Harvest
The House of Krug was established in November 1843, shortly after the harvest of that year. This suggests that the first Krug harvest occurred in 1844, marking the moment when Joseph Krug began to realize his dream: the birth of Krug Grande Cuvée.
The first creation of Krug Grande Cuvée—its inaugural Édition—was crafted around the 1845 harvest. Each year, a new blend is created, resulting in a unique bottling, which is designated as a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée.
The Édition number signifies how many times this act of creation
has taken place, reflecting the number of years Joseph Krug’s vision has been brought to life.
Once crafted, each bottle rests in Krug’s cellars for approximately seven years before being released.
Joseph Krug believed in equality among his Champagnes, a principle he noted in his personal notebook in 1848. Today, the House offers seven Champagnes, all of exceptional quality, each showcasing a distinct expression of Nature. The only factor influencing pricing is rarity, a principle that remains true to this day.
Six Generations later
When Joseph Krug founded the House of Krug in 1843, his dream was to offer the fullest expression of Champagne every year, regardless of variations in climate. With this vision in mind, he went beyond all known boundaries of his time to create a Champagne that did not yet exist – one that still today does not exist outside the House. Today, Olivier Krug, the sixth generation of the Krug family and Director of the House welcomes Krug Lovers from around the world to the Family House in Reims.
For us, time is not a constraint, it is a strength. I recall the first time I created Krug Grande Cuvée 22 years ago as a powerful moment. I was not alone because I had my predecessor by my side, just as Julie now has me. Transmission is, always has been, and always will be in our genes.
The Range
