Located at Bayel, a village in Basse Champagne on the banks of the Aube, where from 1300, under the reign of Philippe IV The Fair, the first glassmaking artisans set up shop on the site which was rich in the raw materials needed for their art.

In 1666, under the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, the CRISTALLERIES ROYALES DE CHAMPAGNE were founded. Colbert, the greatest developer of French industry of that century, encouraged master glassmakers from Venice to come and settle in Paris. One particular artisan, Jean-Baptiste Mazzolay, was noticed by Louis XIV for his fine design and craftsmanship. In 1666, he obtained a partent from the King, giving him the privelege of installing "The Manufacture Royale en Cristaux de Bayel."

A written document from the Counsel of the Realm stated: "The Mazzolay factory is one of the most lucrative of the Kingdom, a great number of beautiful pieces are manufactured there for Spain, Protugal, Mexico, the Indies..."

The CRISTALLERIES ROYALES DE CHAMPAGNE were glassmakers to the Court until 1727 and have continued to produce up to the present, maintaining the tradition of hand-made crystal.

This is a story of an elegant Parisian man, a true gourmet with a passion for wine.

When he invited guests for dinner, he never failed to match food and wine perfectly, and made it a point of honor to present his wines in the best possible way. He took great care with every detail, from the choice of wine glasses to the decanting funnel and decanter, making sure that his wines were served at the correct temperature and most attractively. His dream was to always provide his guests with exceptional moments of pleasure as they enjoyed their wine. One day, he set about imagining everything he could want for himself and other wine lovers, to make every sip of wine even more enjoyable and memorable.

This was the beginning of l'esprit et le vin, a collection of essential accessories for the enjoyment of wine tasting. Each one to be cherished or to be given as gifts, for the ultimate in wine appreciation. Many of the designs are from museum collections and some are new inspirations. All accessories are made by hand, some using molds produced during the 17th century. These are new treasures with authenticiy and heritage, thanks to the high standards of past generations and the vision of new generations of talented and inspired artisans.