HISTORY

The roots of the Geoffroy family go back to the 17th century. The village of Cumières, located in the heart of the Marne Valley, is the anchor of this line of winegrowers. The few acres of vines cultivated by the ancestors are passed down from generation to generation to become the link in their Champagnes.

At the end of the 80s, Jean-Baptiste joined the family estate. After studying at the viticulture school, he perfected the art of the trade alongside his father and Pierrot. In 2008, Jean-Baptiste and his wife Karine decided to transfer the winemaking and commercial activity of Champagne Geoffroy to Aÿ, in a house dating from the end of the 19th century.

Following the long family tradition, the third generation has found successors to shape the new chapter of the family business. A new generation of winemakers, consisting of 5 daughters, Margaux, Sacha, Rosalie, Colombine and Azalée, is growing up with new perspectives, new ideas, valuable experience and inspiration.

THE TERROIR

The essence of the terroir results from a conjunction between the substrate (geological origin, soils, subsoils), the topography (hillsides, altitude, orientation) and the climate. The Champagne wine landscape is a true artistic creation between the winemaker and nature through the centuries. It represents a living memory of the collective heritage.

The estate's vineyard extends over 14 hectares on the hillsides of Damery, Hautvillers, Fleury-la-Rivière and especially Cumières.
Cumières, a small village classified as 1er cru, is nestled between the marl and rugged hillsides facing south-east.

On this land cradled by a particular microclimate, the Geoffroy vineyard is made up of a mosaic of 35 plots, allowing the 3 Champagne grape varieties to express themselves (24% Chardonnay, 34% Meunier and 42% Pinot Noir). The soil is the support for the vine.

It is essential to preserve the balance of each plot. This search for harmony with nature is guided by our philosophy of respect for life, the environment and future generations who will live from this land.

IN THE VINEYARDS

There is no exceptional wine without exceptional grapes.
The objective is therefore to allow each vine to flourish in order to preserve the specificity of its flavors and the truth of the Terroir.

Preserving and intensifying the life of the soil is a priority that punctuates our daily lives. To do this, we practice: Ploughing, which aerates the soil and avoids the use of weedkillers. Spontaneous grassing with multiple varieties of grass. The use of organic manure. Observation in order to be the least interventionist. Only the grapes from these vines bring a soul of Terroir to the heart of the wine.

IN THE CELLAR

In the cellar, the same spirit of respect, patience, mastery of detail and purity are sought. Before the harvest, samples are taken to determine the optimum maturity of the grapes, as well as the harvesting circuit.

The grapes, sorted, are transported as quickly as possible to Aÿ, to be crushed on the house's two traditional Coquard presses.
The “old-fashioned” pressing allows the finest and most precise juices to be extracted, and allows for plot-by-plot vinification that will enhance the diversity of expression of each vine.

This new vat room in Aÿ offers the possibility of transferring the juices from the press to the vinification vats entirely by gravity. The juices thus flow slowly, under the simple effect of weightlessness, towards the enamelled vats, tuns, barrels and demi-muids. These different containers are used according to the potential of each grape. Always concerned with preserving as best as possible what nature offers, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy avoids malolactic fermentation in order to preserve the champagne's original and authentic freshness.

The choice of the blend is determined solely by tasting and according to “Geoffroy’s personal and unique taste”. The bottles drawn are stored in deep chalk cellars for a period of 3 to 8 years depending on the vintage. The final touch of the work in the cellar is the dosage which must find its rightness to give the champagne an integral flavor.