Located in Colombé-la-Fosse in theAube department, Laurent Courtillier ‘s estate is located on the Côte de Bar. Its grapes come from the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay varieties typical of Champagne production.

Your Champagne winemaker and harvester on the Côte de Bar

Located on the Côte de Bar in theAube department, Laurent Courtillier ‘s vineyards cover 10.50 hectares. We work exclusively with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes to produce Brut, Demi-Sec, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé and Blanc de Noirs champagnes.

Thanks to perfect exposure and rich soil, our vines produce superb grapes to create exceptional champagne. We have been awarded the Exploitation de Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3 certificate and the Viticulture Durable en Champagne certification, proving our commitment to the environment and the quality of our work.

Working the vines to produce top-quality Champagne

To produce top-quality Champagne, it’s essential to look after the vines all year round. Laurent and his sons Maxime and Théo pay particular attention to their plots, carrying out regular and appropriate work:

• Pruning: a manual task, the quality of the harvest depends on the precision of this action. It starts after leaf fall and finishes at the end of March. Pruning determines the life and longevity of the vine.
• Tying: a manual task that follows pruning in April. This stage consists in passing the shoots on either side of the wire and tying them with a paper or biodegradable tie.
• Disbudding: manual removal of buds that won’t bear fruit, enabling the sap to feed the main buds. (Early May).
• Raising and trellising: manual action which consists of raising the wires with the branches, which then reach a height of around 50 cm. During the trellising period (in June), the winegrower patiently separates the intertwined shoots, holding them apart with a staple so that the developing bunches can catch the sun and optimize aeration to avoid the risk of rot.
• Trimming: half-manual, half-tractorized (in July), this action consists of cutting and topping the foliage to allow the grapes to begin ripening.
• Grape harvest: this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. The grapes are picked entirely by hand, and must arrive whole at the press in excellent condition.

A winemaker committed to respecting the environment

Based in theAube region, our estate is committed to sustainable production to preserve our terroir and our environment. As a result, we have been awarded the Exploitation de Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification, rewarding our commitment to nature-friendly farming.

This certification attests to the implementation of environmentally-friendly farming practices, particularly in terms of biodiversity management, soil fertility and the use of phytosanitary products. We are committed to preserving our terroir and environment for future generations.

We are proud to offer exceptional champagnes that combine quality, expertise and respect for the environment. The quality of our champagne also depends on respect for nature!

Sustainable viticulture certification in Champagne

Sustainable viticulture is a major challenge for the future of Champagne. Champagne is an exceptional wine-growing region that has preserved its terroir and production quality over the centuries. Today, champagne producers face new challenges in preserving their terroir and environment.

Viticulture durable en Champagne certification is a voluntary process implemented by producers to guarantee environmentally-friendly production. This certification attests to the implementation of farming practices that respect nature, preserve biodiversity and ensure the rational management of resources.

Champagne producers committed to this approach undertake to respect strict criteria for the protection of vines and the environment. In this way, they ensure soil quality, balance and fertility to encourage root development. They also favor plant-friendly cultivation methods such as tillage and grassing to limit the use of phytosanitary products.

Viticulture durable en Champagne certification guarantees environmentally-friendly champagne production of the highest quality. The producers involved in this approach are committed to preserving their terroir and environment, so that they can continue to produce exceptional champagnes for future generations.

We are proud to be able to offer environmentally-friendly champagnes of superior quality, thanks to our Viticulture durable en Champagne certification.

The special characteristics of grapes used to make Champagne

We work mainly with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes. Each of these grape varieties brings its own characteristics to our champagnes. Pinot Noir adds structure and complexity, Pinot Meunier adds roundness and freshness, while Chardonnay adds finesse and elegance.

We also pay close attention to the ripeness of the grapes, so as to harvest at the most favourable moment. Harvesting is done by hand to preserve the quality of the grapes, which are then pressed to produce the must. This is then vinified to produce the base wines used to make our champagne.

In conclusion, vineyard work is a crucial element in producing top-quality champagne. Located on the Côte de Bar in theAube department, we are committed to sustainable, environmentally-friendly production to preserve our terroir and offer exceptional champagnes.

The importance of harvesting to create exceptional Champagne

Harvesting is a crucial stage in producing top-quality champagne. Located in theAube region, Laurent Courtillier ‘s team pays particular attention to each stage of the harvest to preserve the quality of the grapes and guarantee exceptional champagnes.

Hand-picked to preserve the grapes

We opt for manual harvesting, which allows us to sort the grapes directly on the vine. This harvesting technique preserves grape quality by eliminating damaged or diseased grapes. We choose the best time to harvest, when the grapes have reached optimum ripeness.

Every season, our team expands to ensure efficient, meticulous harvesting to produce our different champagnes.

An exceptional terroir to produce top-quality Champagne

Terroir is a key element in the production of top-quality champagne. At Laurent Courtillier, we are proud of our unique terroir, which enables us to produce grapes of the highest quality. We work mainly with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes, each of which brings its own unique characteristics to our champagnes.

Come and visit our vineyard at Colombé-la-Fosse in Champagne

In the wine business, sharing is essential! To share our passion and expertise with you, we regularly organize tours of our champagne cellars and vineyards.

Located in theAube region of France, our team will introduce you to our exceptional terroir and show you the different stages in the care of our vines and the production of our champagne.