Champagne R.H. Coutier — Winegrowers in Ambonnay
The family estate has been established for more than five generations south of the Montagne de Reims, in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay. Its slopes face south and south-east, and the terroir is predominantly characterised by chalky soils. The estate farms 9.30 hectares of vines spread across 40 different plots, with an average vine age of around 38 years. In this part of Champagne, renowned for Pinot Noir, the estate stands out for its distinctive approach. Although the vineyard is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, one third is also dedicated to Chardonnay. Henri Coutier was one of the first to plant Chardonnay on this terroir, in 1948. The estate continues this family tradition, allowing it to produce elegant, refined and balanced blends. Nathalie and René have been running the estate since 1981. They were joined in 2014 by their son Antoine, representing the fifth generation to produce R.H. COUTIER Champagnes. The estate’s overall philosophy is based on a simple principle: “as little intervention as possible”, thereby preserving the expression of the terroir to the greatest extent possible. Particular attention is paid to limiting inputs, both in the vineyard and in the winery, in order to reduce the impact of human intervention on the surrounding living environment. The 2020 vintage marked the beginning of the estate’s conversion to organic viticulture. The entire vineyard has been certified organic since the 2023 harvest.
