John Charles Ricciuti Champagne, Grand Cru, Blanc de Blanc Brut, NV

The story is long and touching. This is the short version is:

John Charles' Grandfather (an American immigrant from Italy) was in the trenches of the Marne, near Avenay-Val-d'Or in 1917 and met and married a French woman from the area. They moved back to the U.S.and had a son, Albert

June 6th 1944 Albert, lands on Normandy as part of Patton's First Army. He participates in the liberation of Avenay-Val-d'Or in Champagne and meets Paulette but moves on with the Army of Liberation. After many letters he returns to Avenay in 1963, and marries Paulette. They remain in Champagne. With a passion for both his new wife and for Champagne, he works to become the first American wine grower in Champagne.

Albert's son, "John Charles" (named for John F. Kennedy and Charles De Gaulle) works the Domaine and learns the ways of Champagne. He becomes the first American to be both Owner and Wine maker for a Grand Cru Champagne house.