Wine industry mourns passing of Laurent Fresnet
G.H. Mumm cellar master dies suddenly at the age of 56.
The whole of the wine industry has been shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Laurent Fresnet, viewed as one of the finest cellar masters working in Champagne.
The son of Champagne winegrowers from Reims, Laurent was cellar master at Henriot before taking up the role with GH Mumm in 2020. During a long career in Champagne, he was twice awarded the title of ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ in 2015 and 2016, those two achievements sitting alongside a host of other prizes he received in recognition of his skills.
Born into the business, five generations of his family made Champagne in Mailly, his familial background as well as his work in the sector key to Mumm’s decision to hand him their prized role a little over three years ago. He studied at the University of Reims, majoring in oenology amongst other subjects, spending time early in his career in New Zealand, South Africa and Portugal.
In 1994 he returned to Champagne where he worked until his untimely death. G.H. Mumm offered their sympathies to the Fresnet family saying: “It’s with a deep sorrow that we announce Laurent Fresnet’s loss, Maison Mumm’s dear Cellar Master. Our thoughts go out to his family and his close ones, to the teams who worked with him on the making of the wines and to all of those who crossed his path. We will strongly miss him.”