About Us
Our Story

Quality since 1989

In 1989, Christophe Galez had recently graduated from university, and his business course had brought him to London for two years.

In his native Champagne region, he meets Alain Thiénot, an already accomplished entrepreneur in Reims who set up his own Champagne House in 1985.

By 1989 Champagne Thiénot was going from strength to strength, and setting up a branch in the UK would contribute to the international development of this young House.

Champagnes and Chateaux was born.

More than 30 years on, Alain Thiénot is still Chairman of his flourishing family business, supported by his children Stanislas and Garance, who joined him in the early 2000s. Their boutique wineries in Champagne, Bordeaux and California enjoy tremendous success worldwide.

Meanwhile, Christophe and his team proudly celebrated the 30th birthday of C&C in 2019, which has become a leading specialist wine merchant in the UK over time.

After nearly 35 years (in May), our focus remains unchanged at Champagnes and Châteaux – working with small family-owned producers and selling quality wines to our customers.

A snapshot of some of our prestigious accounts….

Ashdown Park Hotel, Benares*, The Berkeley, The Connaught, Coq d’Argent, Core by Clare Smyth ***, Coworth Park, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal**, The Dorchester, Ducasse at The Dorchester ***, Five Fields*, Frederick’s Islington, Gara Rock, The Goring*, Hakkasan*, Home House, Kai Mayfair*, The Langham, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, Medlar, La Petite Maison, The Ned, Petrus by Gordon Ramsay*, Pollen Street Social*,The Savoy, Soho House Group, The Stafford Hotel, Tresanton Hotel, The Waterside Inn***…

Thank you all so much for your support.

Our Team

We are a small close-knit team of 8 with fantastic team spirit and joie de vivre. Our customers know us all and we pride ourselves on being able to provide a one to one very friendly service to our customers. We are a small business and everyone mucks in!

Champagnes and Châteaux Team
  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “C & C are a joy to deal with, there’s the perfect balance between having a broad range of wines, but not being inundated by too much choice. They buy quality wines, from niche producers which is exactly what we need for our discerning customers. It’s been a great partnership for over 15 years…”

    Matt Segal
    Frederick's Islington
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  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “We have worked with Champagnes and Chateaux for more than 15 years and have always enjoyed their enthusiasm, professionalism and service. Their portfolio is a constantly evolving range of quality wines that perfectly fit our needs”

    John Brinkley, Brinkley’s
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  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    Thiénot Brut NV

    “A delicately scented, vinous and fresh Champagne with notes of green apple, minerality, floral and citrus characters. The texture is simple, but classy, with elegant and persistent small bubbles with a refreshing, long finish – very good value indeed”

    Vincent Gasnier MS
    Master Sommelier
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  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “Champagne adds sparkle to our lives , we choose Canard-Duchêne because it is fabulous and we know the man who makes it !!!”

    Lesley Lewis
    The French House Soho
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  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “I have been working with C&C, especially with Chris Galez, for well over 20 years; Chris who has always plenty of time for his clients, as well as, a very pragmatic and fair business approach. The agency’s team are also very professional and happy to help whatever the needs: a service that is becoming a rarity nowadays.”

    Christopher Delalonde MS
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  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “I started buying wines as a restaurant manager at Hotel Endsleigh ten years ago. Ever since, the portfolio has constantly grown by adding great quality wines. But what might be even more important is that I can not imagine the team at Champagnes and Chateaux being more charming, cooperative and helpful.

    Nick, Anna , Christophe just to name a few – You are all fantastic!.”

    Chris Grobelny, Endsleigh Hotel
    Head Sommelier
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Our Partners in Wine

We have forged some great partnerships over recent years.
Supporting international events, festivals and theatres…