Jean Laurent (Celles-sur-Ource) Based in the tiny village of Celles-sur-Ource, Jean Laurent embodies the true spirit of what it means to be a récoltant-manipulant. Jean, who represents the third generation at his family estate, farms 14 hectares of vines averaging 25 to 30 years old, with some of the oldest parcels clocking in at more than six decades in age. A fervent believer in sustainability, Jean limits treatments in the vines, uses solar panels for electricity, and collects rainwater to be reused at the property. Jean’s wines are produced as single- varietal bottlings and are vinified in steel (with full malo) prior to aging sur-lie for a minimum of 30 months (vintage bottlings rest for an impressive 10 to 40 years prior to release!) All bottles at Jean Laurent depict disgorgement date and are bottled with 6-8 g/L of dosage (8-10 g/L for rosé expressions).
Ruppert-Leroy (Essoyes)
Bénédicte Leroy has been at the helm of her family’s farm (accompanied by her husband, Manu) since 2000, though her parents first established the estate back in 1975. However, under Bénédicte’s parents’ oversight, all fruit was sold off to the local cooperative. Since her arrival, Bénédicte and Manu have fully implemented biodynamic farming practices, and have become pillars in the overall biodynamic movement across France. Their wines are made with as little intervention as possible, and no sulfur has been used at the winery since 2013. Each cuvée of Ruppert-Leroy Champagne comes from a single vintage and single vineyard, and all bottles are bottled without dosage, and thus Brut Nature.
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