"Understanding and embracing the challenges of a terroir, and the possibilities of a grape variety that expresses itself in a particularly noble way."
Olivier Bonville
OLIVIER BONVILLE
Olivier Bonville joined the family estate in 1997 after completing viticulture studies and earning a national diploma in oenology. His focus is on understanding the terroir of Avize, his hometown; Oger, where the Bonville family originates; and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, where Olivier and his father Gilles expanded the family vineyard in the 2000s.
He guides the wines of Champagne Franck Bonville toward richness and intensity, complementing the finesse and elegance that are so characteristic of the Chardonnays from the Côte des Blancs.
FERDINAND RUELLE
Since 2020, Ferdinand Ruelle-Dudel has been working alongside his father-in-law Olivier on the estate. Together, they strive to uphold a family tradition while developing their shared vision for crafting exceptional Champagnes.
Ferdinand, originally trained as an aerospace engineer and hailing from Reims, joined Olivier in 2020. Passionate about Champagne and the wine world, he completed a world tour of wine-producing countries, exploring the diversity of perspectives, methods, and the multifaceted nature of wines.
OLIVIER AND FERDINAND
Together, Olivier and Ferdinand share, describe, and convey the emotion that a great Champagne wine, a Blanc de Blancs from the Côte des Blancs, should evoke from their perspective.
It is common to find duos at the helm of wine estates. Olivier and Ferdinand share a common vision for the style of wines they wish to create. They taste, share, and exchange ideas to refine, year after year, parcel by parcel, the signature of Champagne Franck Bonville wines and their reputation in both French and international sparkling wine markets.
ALFRED and FRANCK Bonville
At the beginning of the 20th century, Alfred Bonville purchased vineyard plots just a few years after the phylloxera crisis. For practical reasons, he limited himself to parcels located no more than a few hours on horseback from his home. This marked the beginning of the Bonville family's winemaking history.
In the heart of the 1930s, the economic situation was challenging for grape sellers. In 1936, Alfred and his son Franck decided to acquire a winemaker's house in the center of Avize. This was the foundation for what would become the wines of Champagne Franck Bonville.
Initially, the wines produced in Avize were sold to negociant houses after the war. Franck Bonville later began bottling his own wine under the Champagne Franck Bonville label. The first vintage was created following the exceptional 1959 harvest.
GILLES and INGRID
From the 1970s onward, Gilles Bonville and his wife Ingrid modernized and expanded the production facilities. Wooden vats were gradually replaced with enamel tanks and later, in the 1990s, with stainless steel tanks.
A new building was constructed, featuring a semi-underground vat room and two 8,000 kg presses. During this period, Champagne Franck Bonville began exporting to Germany and Belgium.
OLIVIER AND HIS FATHER
Olivier’s arrival in 1996 marked a shift toward greater precision in vineyard cultivation and winemaking. This period also saw an intensification of efforts to expand the export market for the Champagne Franck Bonville brand.
For over 20 years, Olivier has deepened his understanding of the Champagne terroir and the family’s vineyard plots, applying this knowledge to enhance the quality and identity of Champagne Franck Bonville wines.
"Continuing the family journey with the desire to keep bringing a terroir to life, sharing great Champagne wines that symbolize the elegance of a renowned wine region."