Drappier Champagne

The history of Drappier Champagne reaches a long way back. In 1808 the Drappier family settled in Urville, a small village in the heart of the Côte des Bar. This region, in the southern part of Champagne, is known for its outstanding Pinot Noir grapes. The Romans already recognised the merits of this terroir and planted one of the first vineyards here. In the Middle Ages it was the Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Clairvaux who cultivated the vineyards further. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux himself is said to have helped build the impressive 12th-century cellars that the Drappier family still uses today.

Over the centuries Drappier Champagne has developed steadily and consolidated its position in the world of champagne. A remarkable highlight in the history of the house was its relationship with Charles de Gaulle. The French statesman and gourmet lived in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, close to Urville, and regularly stocked his wine cellar with the best cuvées from Drappier.

Drappier is above all known for its characterful and expressive cuvées. The Grande Sendrée is the flagship of the house and is vinified from the best grapes of the best sites. This cuvée stands out for its fine perlage, its complex aromas and its excellent balance.

Alongside the Grande Sendrée, Drappier offers a number of other cuvées, all of which reflect the unique style and philosophy of the house. These include the Brut Nature, a very dry cuvée with no added sugar, and the Carte d'Or, which is prized for its fruity and floral character.

Today the vineyard holdings of the house of Drappier extend over 75 hectares. They lie in some of the best sites in Champagne, including Urville, Bergères, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Cramant. Each of these sites brings its own distinctive characteristics to the wines, which gives the Drappier champagnes great diversity and complexity.

The estate itself is based in Urville, where the historic 12th-century cellars are also found. Here the wines mature under ideal conditions and develop their characteristic finesse and elegance. The chalk-rich soils of the region contribute significantly to the typicity and balance of the Drappier cuvées.

In recent years Drappier Champagne has increasingly focused on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the vineyard. The house uses organic growing methods and largely avoids the use of chemicals. Drappier also relies on modern techniques and innovation to improve the quality of its wines continually. One example is the use of CO2-neutral bottles to reduce its ecological footprint.

Drappier Champagne has also made a name for itself through its willingness to experiment. The house was one of the first to bring a champagne with very low sulphur content to market. These innovations, combined with deep respect for tradition and terroir, make Drappier one of the most exciting champagne houses of the present day.

Besides the famous Grande Sendrée, there are other outstanding champagnes from Drappier that have won international recognition. These include:

• Drappier Brut Nature: A champagne without dosage, which impresses with its freshness and purity.


• Drappier Carte d'Or: A classic of the house, known for its aromas of white fruit and its fine minerality.


• Drappier Rosé de Saignée: A rosé champagne made by the traditional saignée method and prized for its intense fruit aromas.

Drappier has made a name for itself not only through its excellent wines but also through its commitment to the region and the community. The house is an important employer in Urville and the surrounding area and supports numerous local initiatives. Drappier is also an active member of various winegrowers' associations and works to promote and protect Champagne as a wine region.

The combination of tradition, innovation and a deep understanding of terroir makes Drappier Champagne an indispensable part of the champagne landscape. With its long history and tireless pursuit of quality, the house of Drappier will continue to play a leading role in the world of champagne in the future.