About Us
Our Story

In 1989, Christophe Galez met Alain Thiénot through a university friend and they got together in Reims to discuss setting up a ‘branch’ of Thiénot  in London. Champagnes & Châteaux was born!

Our portfolio then was limited to Champagne Thiénot, which had recently been launched in France, and a few of Alain’s properties in Bordeaux (Châteaux Rahoul & Ricaud). Today, Alain is still Chairman of his fast growing family business Thiénot Bordeaux Champagnes in France, along side his children, Stanislas & Garance.

 

In 2003, Alain Thiénot bought Champagne Canard-Duchêne, set in a picturesque national park in Ludes. With the help of his team and cellarmaster Laurent Fédou, he re-branded Canard-Duchêne and altered the style of Champagne to bring it more in line with the Alain Thiénot brand and style.

Twenty nine years on, Christophe is still running Champagnes & Châteaux, which over time has become a leading independent wine merchant.

Our portfolio has grown with little gems and star producers. Our producers are primarily privately owned with much the same approach and philosophy as ours. We regard them as part of our family.

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 near our offices in Battersea Reach

  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “I can offer nothing but praise, an excellent range of well-cellared wines, I now no longer have to trawl the internet looking for French Château Wines as most of what I need is offered by Champagnes and Châteaux with great attention to detail, a small but beautifully formed wine supplier.”

    Antony Worrall Thompson
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  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “I have known Christophe and his team for about 20 years. Time flies… Working with them has always been a joy. They’re friendly and professional and do represent a number of top-flight independent wineries: Thienot, Pillot, Trapet, Jeandeau, La Nerthe are all part of my family. Here’s to the next happy 20 years. Santé !”

    Jean-Christophe Slowik
    L'Absinthe
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  • 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 more than a decade…”

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

    “We have been working with C&C for more than 10 years, we are very happy with our continuing success together, C&C haves helped enormously with our desire to serve quality within our dining experience. They have a great understanding of what will work on our wine list…their staff is professional, approachable and very friendly…they’ve got it all!.”

    Jérome Bichot
    Cheyne Walk Brasserie
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  • OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

    “I’ve had the privilege of working with C & C since my first appointment as Head Sommelier over 10 years ago. Thierry was the very first supplier I ever met with, and has stayed at the top of my list of preferred suppliers ever since.His initial impression of being a reliable, trustworthy chap was borne out and he’s always been a source of expert support. I love their portfolio, and possibly Thierry himself, but in all seriousness, the highlights for me have been collaborating with such stellar producers as Thiénot Champagne, Château Val Joanis and Domaine Trapet”.”

    Frédéric Tanoh-Koutoua
    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…