Ayala Champagne has been around since 1860, independent and family-owned

History of the house Ayala

Die Geschichte von Ayala beginnt mit einer romantischen Liebesgeschichte. Raphael Edmond Louis Gonzague de Ayala, Sohn eines kolumbianischen Diplomaten, verliebte sich in eine Frau aus Aÿ, einer Stadt im Herzen der Champagne, nur wenige Kilometer südlich von Reims. Diese enge Verbundenheit zur Region führte dazu, dass Ayala dort Weinberge erwarb und 1860 das Champagnerhaus Ayala gründete.

Early years and development

In the early years of its existence, Ayala quickly made a name for itself for the production of high-quality champagne. The special soil conditions of the region, in particular the chalky subsoil, offered ideal conditions for growing the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grape varieties. These conditions contribute significantly to the unique quality and characteristic flavour of Ayala champagne.

Changing owners and modernisation

Im Laufe seiner fast 150-jährigen Geschichte durchlief Ayala mehrere Besitzerwechsel. Im Jahr 2005 erwarb die Bollinger-Familiengruppe das Champagnerhaus mit dem Ziel, ihm seine ursprüngliche Stärke zurückzugeben und es weiterzuentwickeln. Unter der neuen Führung begann eine umfassende Erneuerung des Unternehmens, einschließlich der Modernisierung der Produktionsanlagen und der Einführung neuer Teams. Dies markierte den Beginn einer neuen Ära für Ayala, die durch Innovation und Tradition gleichermaßen geprägt ist.

Seat and vineyards

The Ayala Champagne House estate is located in Aÿ, a town renowned for its long Champagne tradition. The vineyards of Ayala extend over the renowned hilly landscapes of the Montagne de Reims and the Côtes des Blancs. These regions are famous for their ideal terroir, characterised by the high chalk content of the soil. The chalk subsoil is crucial to the success of Champagne as it provides excellent drainage and allows the vines to root deep into the soil, resulting in a better supply of nutrients and unique flavours.

The influence of the terroir

The region's chalky soil plays a key role in the production of Ayala Champagne. It offers optimal conditions for the cultivation of the three most important grape varieties in Champagne: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. These grapes ripen in a harmonious interplay of climate, soil and careful cultivation. The chalky soil gives the champagne its characteristic freshness and minerality, which have made Ayala champagne famous worldwide.

Cellar and ageing

Another feature of the Ayala house is its impressive vaulted cellar. The network of cellars stretches over three kilometres and lies 20 to 25 metres below a vineyard in the chalk layer. These cellars offer ideal conditions for the maturation of the champagnes, as the constant temperature and humidity favour the development of the aromas. The long maturation period in the chalk cellars contributes to the complexity and depth of the Ayala champagne.

Well-known champagne and current information

Ayala's best-known champagne is the Grande Cuvée. This cuvée represents the essence of the brand and is characterised by its elegance and finesse. The Grande Cuvée is made from a careful selection of the best grapes and undergoes a long ageing period in the cellars to achieve its perfect balance and depth.

Current information and production details

Since the takeover by the Bollinger family group in 2005, Ayala has continued to develop. The modernisation of the production facilities and the introduction of new techniques have helped to improve the quality and consistency of the champagnes. Today, the house employs around fifteen people, all of whom are committed to the family spirit and high quality standards.

Ayala remains independent and family-owned, which allows the house to preserve its traditions while remaining innovative. The company's vineyards cover some of the best sites in the region, which contributes to the high quality of the grapes.

Conclusion

Ayala Champagne, founded in Aÿ in 1860, is a traditional champagne house that today belongs to the Bollinger family group. Renowned for its Grande Cuvée, Ayala combines tradition and innovation to produce champagne of the highest quality. The ideal conditions of the vineyards in the Montagne de Reims and the Côtes des Blancs, the chalky soil and the long ageing periods in the historic cellars contribute to the unique quality and outstanding reputation of Ayala champagne.