News
Céline Risso appointed maîtresse de maison at Royal Champagne in Champillon
Royal Champagne has named Céline Risso as its new maîtresse de maison, placing her at the helm of hospitality operations at the Champillon estate.
What happened
Royal Champagne, the established champagne house and hospitality destination situated in Champillon in the heart of the Champagne region, has appointed Céline Risso to the role of maîtresse de maison. The announcement was made on 5 September 2026. In this position, Risso assumes responsibility for the house's hospitality operations and the overall guest experience at the Champillon property.
Why it matters
Leadership appointments of this nature carry considerable weight within the Champagne region. Royal Champagne occupies a prominent position among the region's established houses, and the role of maîtresse de maison sits at the intersection of brand identity and day-to-day guest relations. Whoever holds the position shapes the manner in which visitors encounter the house — from the first welcome through to their final impression of the estate.
For an industry that has long understood hospitality as inseparable from the appreciation of champagne itself, such appointments reflect a deliberate strategic intent. The decision to place Céline Risso in this role signals that Royal Champagne is attentive to the quality and character of the experience it offers, not merely the wines it produces.
Context
Royal Champagne is located in Champillon, a village that commands sweeping views over the Marne valley and the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims — one of the most celebrated terroirs in the Champagne appellation. The house has long been regarded as a destination in its own right, drawing visitors for whom the broader experience of champagne country is as important as the wines themselves.
The appointment of a dedicated maîtresse de maison underlines a broader trend visible across the region's leading addresses: a sustained investment in the human dimension of hospitality, recognising that the reception of guests is a craft deserving of the same rigour applied to viticulture and vinification. Céline Risso steps into a role that will define how Royal Champagne presents itself to the world in the years ahead.