Ayala Champagne
Ayala Champagne was founded in Aÿ in 1860
It is known for its Grande Cuvée. As one of the oldest champagne houses, Ayala is now part of the renowned Bollinger family group. In this comprehensive description, you will learn more about the history, the vineyards, the company's headquarters and current information about the vineyards and the most famous champagne producer. Champagne of this brand.
History of the house Ayala
The story of Ayala begins with a romantic love story. Raphael Edmond Louis Gonzague de Ayala, the son of a Colombian diplomat, fell in love with a woman from Aÿ, a town in the heart of the Champagnejust a few kilometres south of Reims. This close connection to the region led to Ayala acquiring vineyards there and founding the Ayala champagne house in 1860.
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
In the course of its almost 150-year history, Ayala has undergone several changes of ownership. In the year 2005 the Bollinger family group acquired the champagne house with the aim of restoring it to its original strength and developing it further. Under the new management, a major overhaul of the company began, including the modernisation of the production facilities and the introduction of new teams. This marked the beginning of a new era for Ayala, characterised by innovation and tradition in equal measure.
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.
CHAMPAGNE AYALA
1, rue Edmond de Ayala
51160 Aÿ
France
Phone : +33 (0)3 26 55 15 44
http://www.champagne-ayala.fr