Grower Champagne - Trailblazers

“We have been vignerons since 1687, long before the term ‘Grower Champagne’ even existed” says Mélanie Tarlant of Champagne Tarlant, who runs the estate with her brother Benoît, representing the newest generation to lead the Domaine, and continuing an unbroken lineage that spans more than three centuries. With a focus on zéro dosage, long ageing, and site expression, the terroir and the tradition of the estate are in safe hands. "We grow our own grapes, we vinify them ourselves, and we bottle the wines under our family’s name. The soul of Tarlant lies in our vineyards; every Champagne comes exclusively from our own organically farmed parcels. Above all, we are a family estate rooted here since 1687: our history gives us perspective, while our independence allows us to remain agile, creative, and true to our convictions. For us, terroir is not a background detail – it is the very essence of our wines.”

Egly-Ouriet is one of the most respected and established grower Champagne domaines on the Montagne de Reims, with high-tech and spacious cellars set in Ambonnay. It is run by the hugely talented Francis Egly who is now joined by daughter Clémence. Many of the vines are classified Grand Cru, spread across the villages of Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay, with a smattering of premiers crus making up the rest. Their wines are thrilling and vivacious, with a wonderful vinous intensity, and have quite rightly earned them a cult following.

Bertrand Gautherot was one of the earliest growers to the biodynamic party, and has been certified by Demeter since 1998. He has been a trailblazer in the Aube ever since, setting an example that many younger growers have followed. His vineyards are closer to Chablis than Reims, and the Kimmeridgian limestone soil is an important part of the domaine's style.

This highly-respected estate in the heart of the Côte des Blancs is famed for its scintillating blanc de blancs. It has an impressive history, dating back to 1858, and today is being taken to ever greater heights by current incumbent, Rodolphe Péters, the sixth generation of the family to farm in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Under his stewardship the wines now enjoy insatiable demand. The domaine is currently 20 hectares, and whilst many growers have pursued single vineyard expressions, Rodolphe favours blends. The heart of this blend comes from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, with the balance coming from Oger, Avize and Cramant. It is without doubt one of the most sought-after non-vintage cuvées on the grower champagne circuit, thanks to its terrific value and sheer quality.

Pascal Agrapart is a bona fide member of the grower Champagne hall of fame. Along with Anselme Selosse, he is the inspiration for many younger growers starting out. He has earned countless plaudits for his stunning Blanc de Blancs Champagnes from the Côte des Blancs. He farms 12 hectares of vines, over half of which are within the Grand Cru village of Avize. His wines have a vinous character, and a wonderful ability to age. Prices look set to rise for the Agrapart wines, and demand is far outstripping supply, so get them while you can.

Brothers Vincent and Raphaël Bérêche can be credited with not only the current success of their own family domaine, but also the glittering halo that shines above the grower movement in Champagne. They have been instrumental in its development, taking young gun growers under their wing. They own 11 hectares, most of which are in the village of Ludes on the Montagne de Reims. Long ageing in oak ballerl before bottling and naturally high acidities in their wines means the wines have magnificent ageing potential, with a tensile, chalky line running through them.