Hervé Dantan

Coming Up

Born in 1965 to a vine-growing family rooted near the Chardonnay country of Vitry-le-François, Dantan approached the discipline from vineyard management inward. In 1991, he assumed the role of chief winemaker at Champagne Mailly Grand Cru. His 22 years overseeing production on that smaller scale established a direct link between parcel viticulture and cellar choices, refining his comprehensive perspective on Champagne assemblage. Lanson recruited Dantan in July 2013 to navigate a delicate cellar transition while safeguarding its signature dry, crisp identity. Long-standing chef de caves Jean-Paul Gandon—who had directed winemaking since 1986—worked alongside Dantan before handing over the keys definitively in 2015. Lanson had historically eschewed malolactic fermentation, a philosophy reaffirmed around the house's 250th anniversary in 2010. Dantan maintained that foundational structure while introducing a newly constructed cuvérie to bring greater precision to individual parcel vinification, adapting each assemblage to the variations of the harvest. He managed wines that demanded extended maturation, such as the 2008 vintage, and sustained Lanson's established profile in key markets where the house served as the official tournament supplier since 2001.

Where They Are Now

Hervé Dantan is the Cellar Master at Lanson in Tours-sur-Marne. Since taking full charge of the cellars, he has overseen cuvées including Le Black Création 257 and Le Rosé Lanson, while directing the separate bottling of Clos Lanson—a walled one-hectare Chardonnay plot initially isolated as a dedicated vintage in 2006. By 2016, his technical leadership continued to guide cellar operations, from managing Pinot Noir dominance across grand cru and premier cru assemblages to supervising viticulture across 16 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards in Verneuil in the Marne Valley for the Green Label Organic cuvée.

Career - Chief Winemaker — Champagne Mailly Grand Cru (1991–2013) - Cellar Master — Champagne Lanson (2013–present)

FAQ What is Hervé Dantan's current role? Hervé Dantan is the Cellar Master at Lanson in Tours-sur-Marne, a position he has held since 2013. Where did Hervé Dantan work prior to joining Lanson? He spent 22 years as chief winemaker at Champagne Mailly Grand Cru, from 1991 until joining Lanson in 2013.