Heidsieck & Co. Monopole is one of three Champagne houses using the name Heidsieck in one way or another, which causes confusion. All three of the “Heidsieck” houses descend from Florens-Louis Heidsieck, a German textile merchant who moved to Reims in the late 18th century and started making wine. Heidsieck and his business heirs not only made excellent Champagne but also excelled at marketing, and the Heidsieck name became synonymous with quality at courts, palaces and high-end restaurants in Europe and the U.S. Heidsieck & Co. Monopole was founded in 1851 by Charles Camille Heidsieck, who was the son of Charles-Henri Heidsieck, nephew to Florens-Louis. Today Heidsieck & Co Monopole is owned by the Vranken company of Epernay, which owns Pommery and other French wine estates.