・TRANSMISSION・
“Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Five generations driven by the same passion: showcasing a terroir perfectly suited to Meunier and giving our wines the signature of our winegrower's identity.”
The Vallée de la Marne is renowned for its clay-limestone and marl-limestone soils, with a high concentration of clay. Paradoxically, Festigny, although firmly rooted in the Vallée de la Marne, stands out for its more chalky soils compared with other nearby terroirs. This makes the village a unique and distinctive terroir.
The values of the estate are rooted in the close relationship Thierry shared with his grandfather Henri, followed by the strong complementary partnership that developed between Thierry and Murielle. Henri was a true man of the land, committed to technical progress and to developing the estate, with a strong focus on expanding and enhancing the vineyard.
・TRANSITION・
“Always see the present while looking towards the future.”
The result is a unique product. A reflection of the identity of Champagne Fournier: “Our choices, our actions and our history, all bottled.”
The entire vineyard is farmed according to sustainable viticulture practices, with a long-term environmental project. Respect for the soil and the land is both an ecological commitment and an essential requirement for quality. This approach also opens up new possibilities for blending and for developing greater depth in the wines over time.
Parents and sons share a deep passion for wine, with the ambition of crafting highly precise Champagnes centred around the Meunier grape variety. New winemaking ideas are currently being explored, including projects involving vinification and ageing in oak barrels, and much more to come…
With the support of his brother Maxime, Julien joined the estate team in 2020 after studying wine business and gaining experience abroad. A new generation with a strong sense of identity, flourishing oenological creativity and high environmental standards. Their arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter full of projects, following the installation, in 2007–2008, of a new winery equipped with temperature-controlled tanks and a state-of-the-art press. This new decade promises many exciting projects… #moretocome
・TERROIR・
“Champagne, an idyllic place in which to craft great wines above all.”
“We are deeply attached to the terroir of the Vallée de la Marne, where the Meunier grape variety fully expresses itself. As a result, Meunier occupies the largest share of our vineyards and our Champagne blends. It produces a unique and distinctive wine, both aromatic and structured.
Alongside the different grape varieties (Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), there is also a diversity of soils and exposures. Each plot produces different grapes, giving us a broad palette of flavours and characteristics from which to craft high-quality wines.
The greater the diversity of terroirs and the range of options available to us at harvest, the greater the precision we can achieve when crafting our wines.
Our winemaking methods are guided by respect for time. We allow our wines to age on the lees for longer than average, bringing greater finesse and complexity.”
Each bottle of Champagne remains safely stored in the cellars for at least four years before disgorgement. This extended ageing gives the wines greater structure and can even bring out notes of forest floor, along with a very subtle hint of toastiness.
