There are news that you would never want to share: this is one of them. Frédéric Panaïotis, Chef de Cave of Maison Ruinart since 2007, has passed away at the age of 60. His death was sudden, on Sunday 15 June, following an accident. What remains is the profound sadness of such a sudden and unexpected farewell, of one of the great faces of today’s Champagne. A true scientist of the most loved and famous bubbles in the world, always available to explain and help everyone better understand the nuances and complexities of a passion to which Panaïotis dedicated his life. Just like it happened to the writer of this article, in a passionate evening in Milan for the launch of Dom Ruinart 2010, in which Frédéric Panaïotis did not shy away from any question, dissecting the objectives and merits of the revolution of the bouchon liège, the cork stopper tirage, which he had promoted on the famous Cuvée de Prestige. And this is the memory that we will keep of him, the best tribute that can be paid to him.
Maison Ruinart’s memory for its Chef de Cave
The confirmation of the news of the sudden passing of Frédéric Panaïotis arrived in the evening of Monday 16 June, after rumors had been circulating since the morning among industry insiders. We chose to wait for the official announcement to make it, out of respect for his family and his colleagues at Maison Ruinart.
This is the official note from Reims:
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Frédéric Panaïotis, Cellar Master of Maison Ruinart, on Sunday, 15 June 2025, at the age of 60. A key figure in the world of Champagne and wine more broadly, a respected colleague and dear friend, his untimely death leaves us in profound sorrow. His passion, high standards, vision and unwavering commitment to excellence have left a lasting mark on Maison Ruinart. A brilliant oenologist and a man of great warmth and attentiveness, he embodied the spirit of Champagne with both elegance and humility worldwide. In these difficult times, our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and close colleagues”.
Frédéric Dufour, President of Maison Ruinart, remembers the Chef de Cave:
“Frédéric Panaïotis was a truly unique personality. Highly rational and deeply sensitive at the same time. Passionate, curious, committed, a man of science and knowledge, guided by immense humility. He embodied the values of Ruinart. His unique vision will continue to shape our Maison for decades to come. We will miss him deeply.”
Who was Frédéric Panaïotis
Born in 1964, Frédéric Panaïotis spent much of his childhood among his grandparents’ vineyards in Champagne. He loved harvesting Chardonnay grapes with them, and it was through those early moments in the vineyard that he first discovered the world of wine.
He went on to study Viticulture and Oenology at the Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon. He later obtained the National Diploma in Oenology from the École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Montpellier in 1988. His early career took him between France and California before he returned to Champagne in 1991 to join the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne. He later worked at Maison Veuve Clicquot and joined Ruinart in 2007 as Cellar Master.
Over the past 18 years, Frédéric has helped shape the Maison’s wines through his thoughtful and innovative approach. Chardonnay was the common thread running through his work, a grape he explored with nuance, always seeking to express its elegance and freshness with clarity and restraint. Frédéric oversaw the blending of all Ruinart cuvées, from the non-vintage wines to the prestige champagnes Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé.
Beyond the wines themselves, he was a strong advocate for sustainable practices. He played a central role in several significant developments: the introduction of the second skin case, the adoption of vitiforestry in the vineyards, the return to cork ageing for Dom Ruinart, the creation of a historical œnothèque at 4 Rue Des Crayeres, and the launch of Ruinart Blanc Singulier, a cuvée conceived to reflect the changing climate through the lens of Chardonnay.
With scientific precision and deep respect for both nature and people, his work left a meaningful mark on Ruinart.
Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon’s tribute
On his Instagram profile, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Chef de Cave at Champagne Louis Roederer, shared a wonderful tribute, also remembering another great figure who passed away prematurely, Gilles Descôtes, which we repost:
“Yesterday my friend Frédéric Panaïotis, Chef de Cave at Maison Ruinart, passed away in an accident. A few years ago, Gilles Descôtes, Chef de Cave at Bollinger, left us after a long illness! Few people know that 41 years ago we were together, three young students at the same “Math Sup Bio” in Reims, before enrolling at the “Agro Montpellier” university. I am sure that Gilles will welcome Fred with his legendary sense of humor and a glass of Champagne! Dom Ruinart or RD, I don’t know! #RIP Fred. I will miss you!”.
