TWO MINUTES WITH | Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt, Laurent-Perrier
Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt is the fourth generation of Champagne’s largest family-run house, Laurent-Perrier, and is responsible for overseeing its prestige cuvée, the three-vintage Grand Siècle, which was conceived by her grandfather Bernard de Nonancourt in the 1950s. She tackles our quick fire Q&A
What is your ‘last supper’ wine?
Can I cheat and pick two? The first one is an obvious choice—no last supper would be complete without Grand Siècle, a wine that is deeply tied to our family’s history. It was the first wine my grandfather created when he took the reins at Laurent-Perrier, driven by his vision of perfection.
As for the second, I would choose a Montrachet. A wine like no other, showing the true power of Chardonnay, with its incredible depth, elegance and complexity, it would be the perfect way to honour such a moment. I wouldn’t even worry as to the producer…
Where is your dream vineyard?
It’s hard for me to venture outside Champagne, whose unique chalky terroir is one of a kind and always in my heart. But if I had to pick another place to work every day, it would be the vineyards of Lavaux in Switzerland. There’s something about the beauty and serenity of the landscape that makes it truly special. The view is simply breathtaking—Lake Léman [aka Lake Geneva] in front, mountains behind. Like Champagne, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s a place where I feel completely in tune with nature.
Who is your wine hero?
In the wine world, there are so many people with incredible stories. One that really stuck with me is Alvaro Palacios. He took Priorat, a tough, almost forgotten region with its rocky llicorella soil, and turned it into one of Spain’s most respected wine regions. With L’Ermita, he had Spanish wine standing shoulder to shoulder with the best Bordeaux, and inspired a whole new generation to rediscover their historic vineyards. I have not had the chance to meet him in person yet, but I would love to…
Closer to home, my grandfather Bernard de Nonancourt (pictured) was such an inspiration to so many. In Champagne, those who knew him called him Great Bernard. He was a true pioneer—he rebuilt Laurent-Perrier, reinvented the house’s style, and introduced new techniques. But above all, he taught us that Champagne is about pleasure—finding the right moment to enjoy it in good company over a great meal. In the end, it is thanks to him that I got into the wine business.
What’s the next big thing in wine?
The incorporation of AI into all aspects of production. Take the vineyard, AI can enhance precision agriculture by analysing and optimising vine management. It can also assist in understanding and predicting how changing climate conditions may affect production. Each vinification, even when technically controlled and mastered, presents a new challenge, requiring a sense of anticipation and adaptation that AI can help provide.
Beyond production, AI could predict market trends and optimise distribution strategies. Through machine learning, it can analyse consumer buying patterns and regional preferences, enabling wineries to identify target markets and tailor their offerings accordingly.
All in all, we are only at the beginning of discovering AI’s potential in the world of winemaking.
What’s your favorite wine memory?
I actually have two. The first was earning my WSET Diploma, a milestone that demanded all my time and energy but rewarded me with an incredible journey of knowledge. The second was the moment I joined my family at Champagne Laurent-Perrier. In 2019, I proudly became part of the team, representing Grand Siècle across the globe.
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WHAT
I’VE
LEARNED
Marc Kent, Boekenhoutskloof
CRITIC’S
CORNER
Nick Ryan
IN
THE
VINEYARD
Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River