The Houses collectively own slightly more than 10% of the Champagne vineyard area, but they are responsible for more than two thirds of all Champagne sales.
A reliable supply of grapes is therefore essential, and this responsibility falls to the person responsible for overseeing the relationship with the winegrowers who supply the House with its grapes.
Bearing in mind the importance of this role, it is often handled personally by the chief executive of the business, especially when the House depends on brokers to develop and maintain the relationship with grape suppliers.
The largest Houses appoint a dedicated project manager whose role is to pursue a year-round "public relations" campaign to reinforce the critical relationship between the House and its suppliers (the winegrowers who have agreed to supply grapes from the vineyards specified by the House within the Champagne production zone).