Charles Camille Heidsieck, known as “Champagne Charlie,” founded his Champagne house in 1851 and quickly charmed American high society, making Champagne a symbol of luxury in the U.S. However, the Civil War led to his financial ruin and imprisonment on espionage charges. Upon release, a stroke of luck in Colorado’s silver boom allowed him to revive his Champagne business. Charles’ innovative use of Reims’ chalk caves for aging Champagne solidified his legacy, and his house became renowned across European royal courts, maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s finest to this day.