Born in Reims, France, home to the renowned Champagne House Veuve Clicquot, one could say Delphine Laborde was destined to a life amidst the vines. Now a winemaker for Maison Veuve Clicquot, Laborde’s first memories in Reims trace back to being in the vineyards and among those working in the industry.
Signing her name in the cellar, Laborde leaves her mark at The Nell
She studied at AgroParisTech, earning her degree in viticulture and winemaking at the Montpellier SupAgro Engineer School in 2007.
After graduating, she accepted a job at a German wine estate before returning to her native region in France where she took charge of the vineyard of a famous Champagne House in Aÿ. Thereafter, she worked for the Champagne Committee (CIVC) in Épernay and organized the 2011 European Champagne Ambassadors’ Award, a competition honoring the best Champagne educators. In 2012, Laborde joined Veuve Clicquot as a winemaker on the Wine Communication team.
Among her responsibilities, she oversees staff training programs on winemaking and tasting. During the fall harvest, she is responsible for the pressing and Chardonnay vinification in the Côte des Blancs. As a member of the tasting committee led by Cellarmaster Dominique Demarville, Laborde takes an active part in the creation of the finest Veuve Clicquot blends.
She also travels frequently to promote Veuve Clicquot Champagnes, which recently brought her to the U.S. with stops in Deer Valley, Aspen and Sun Valley.
The Little Nell proudly welcomed Laborde on Sunday, March 6, for an intimate evening at element 47 for Veuve Clicquot collectors who were invited as guests. Laborde spoke to each selection, its production process and also the history of the Champagne House during the five-course, Champagne-paired dinner (please see menu below). The evening fittingly concluded in The Nell’s cellar where guests were awaited by a jeroboam of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Vintage 1990. Laborde signed the bottle, as well as the wall, a tradition for first timers to The Nell’s subterranean speakeasy.
The Veuve Clicquot Collectors Dinner guests with a jeroboam of La Grande Dame in the cellar
Element 47 presents events year-round – view the event calendar and contact 970.920.6330 for reservations or more information.
