Richard Geoffroy
Founder & Maker, IWA Sake
Richard Geoffroy’s pursuit of harmony steered him to the highest reaches of his profession. The fifth and former Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, Richard is known for his creativity and exactitude within every aspect of his craft. He was born in the heart of Champagne to a family of Côte des Blanc wine growers. Now, in his latest endeavor IWA, Richard applies his talent to an even more storied art form: Nihonshu or Sake of Japan.
Richard is a world-renowned winemaker whose contribution has left an indelible impression onthe world of fine wine. Immersed in an environment of wine and grapes from a young age, Richard was poised for the career he would later realize. After completing a medical doctorate, he later returned to his roots and enrolled in the École Nationale d’Œnologiein Reims, one of the world’s most respected wine schools. After completing his studies in 1985, he worked for various wineries in the New and Old Worlds, where he gained invaluable expertise and experience in the production of sparkling wine. Richard was appointed as Chef de Cave at Dom Pérignon in 1990. Over the next three decades, he led the rejuvenation of Dom Pérignon into one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands.
Upon retiring from Dom Pérignon in 2018, Richard entered a new chapter of his life, turning his attention to Japan. Following his countless trips to the country that sparked his love for its culture and people, he was inspired by a desire to contribute to the hallowed craft of sake. Resetting his challenges to bring an element of innovation to a production with over a thousand years of tradition integral to Japan’s identity, Richard founded IWA Sake of Japan in 2019.
