A historic milestone in the story of Champagne Canard-Duchêne: Cynthia Fossier has become the Maison’s 10th Cellar Master, and the first woman to hold this position since Léonie Duchêne, co-founder of the Maison in 1868. Driven by passion, precision, and modernity, her journey marks a new chapter for the Maison based in Ludes, at the heart of the Montagne de Reims.
A Career Shaped by a Passion for Wine
Originally from the Ardennes region, Cynthia Fossier developed an early interest in nature, science, and wine. After studying at the Faculty of Sciences in Reims, she specialized in oenology and earned her National Diploma of Oenologist.
Her first professional experiences led her to Bouzy, a Grand Cru village, where she refined her expertise in red-wine vinification—particularly demanding when working with Pinot Noir.
« I have learned from every person I’ve met throughout this incredible profession. » - Cynthia Fossier
The Canard-Duchêne Spirit: Tradition and Transmission
In 2019, Cynthia joined Maison Canard-Duchêne as Deputy to the Cellar Master, working alongside the emblematic Laurent Fédou, who had held the position for 15 years. Guided by her mentor, she honed her vision, deepened her understanding of the terroirs, and mastered blending and Champagne craftsmanship before succeeding him as Cellar Master in January 2025.
A natural choice—driven by Laurent Fédou’s intuition and by Cynthia’s potential—her nomination symbolizes the Maison’s commitment to transmission and continuity.
A First Since Léonie Duchêne
Cynthia Fossier’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment in the Maison’s history. It marks an important and symbolic milestone, reaffirming the Canard-Duchêne identity and its oenological trajectory—rooted in precision, excellence, and authenticity.
At 34, Cynthia embodies a new, dynamic, and passionate generation, ready to reveal the full expression of the Maison’s champagnes and elevate the renown of Champagne Canard-Duchêne.
Cynthia’s Vision
For Cynthia, oenology is above all a craft built on sharing and collective experience.
Her ambition is to preserve the Canard-Duchêne style and savoir-faire while revealing the true soul of its terroirs, guiding the Maison through contemporary challenges: respect for nature, sustainability, and excellence.
"The family spirit, heritage and history of the Maison, along with everything I learned from Laurent Fédou, inspire me every day. It is a meaningful story in which each wine tells its own part. I draw deeply from my emotions to create and imagine blends—the musicality behind each cuvée." - Cynthia Fossier
With the nomination of Cynthia Fossier, Maison Canard-Duchêne reaffirms its heritage, built on expertise and the strong bond connecting the Maison to nature and to others—opening a new chapter in its history.
