On October 25, a select circle of New York’s most discerning tastemakers gathered for an evening where legacy, artistry, and the rarest expressions of champagne converged. Hosted by Haute Wine Society and Haute Living, the intimate dinner at Zuma New York honored Mathieu Billecart—seventh-generation custodian of Champagne Billecart-Salmon, one of France’s most revered family maisons since 1818.
Mathieu Billecart
Set within Zuma’s refined Madison Avenue outpost, the night unfolded in an atmosphere of understated opulence. Guests were welcomed into a curated world where the maison’s storied craftsmanship met the restaurant’s contemporary Japanese sensibility. The highlight of the evening was an exclusive tasting of rare and exceptional Billecart-Salmon cuvées, including vintage formats seldom poured outside private European cellars. Each expression revealed the hallmarks that define the maison: pristine purity of fruit, a precise mineral structure, and an elegance honed across more than two centuries of family stewardship.
Keytt Lundqvist and Alex Lundqvist
Mathieu Billecart was present to personally guide guests through the maison’s heritage, sharing insights into its enduring philosophy and the meticulous craftsmanship behind each bottle. As he spoke, Zuma’s culinary team unveiled a progression of signature dishes, silky sashimi, delicately seasoned plates from the robata grill.
Each bottle carries the meticulous craftsmanship.
Each pairing designed to complement the nuance and depth of the champagnes. The interplay of flavor, texture, and temperature created a multisensory dialogue between Old World viticulture and modern Japanese artistry.
Mathieu Billecart and Dr. Dmitry Schwarzburg
Collectors, cultural leaders, and long-time admirers of the brand raised their glasses in celebration of Billecart-Salmon’s legacy and its dynamic evolution under next-generation leadership. Amid warm toasts and the soft glow of Zuma’s ambient lighting, the gathering became more than a dinner; it became a tribute to heritage, excellence, and the enduring culture of champagne appreciation. The evening concluded with a final toast, an homage to the maison’s 200-year journey and a promise of many luminous chapters still to come.
Collectors, cultural leaders, and long-time admirers of the brand raised their glasses in celebration of Billecart-Salmon’s legacy.