Beaufort Herbert

Herbert Beaufort is a family estate in Bouzy, a grand cru village on the southern slope of the Montagne de Reims. The house works as a grower-producer, making its champagnes itself. The address is 32 Rue de Tours sur Marne.

One family, twelve generations

The Beaufort family has grown vines in Champagne since the 16th century and has been making still wines from Bouzy since 1900. In 1929 Marcellin Beaufort and his son Herbert began making champagne. Herbert gave the house its name. Today Henri Beaufort and his sons Hugues and Ludovic run the estate, which counts twelve generations of the family. Alongside the Herbert Beaufort label, which stands for the grower champagne, there is the Marcellin Beaufort label.

Vineyards, vines and wines

The vines grow in the grand cru sites of Bouzy, Ambonnay, Tours-sur-Marne, Verzy and Verzenay. To these are added the premier cru sites of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Trépail. Figures for the vineyard area vary by source between 13 and 16.5 hectares. The Vignerons Indépendants directory gives 14 hectares. Pinot Noir dominates, complemented by Chardonnay, which covers about 3 hectares. The estate is HVE3 certified.

The Carte d'Or Tradition cuvée is made up of 90 per cent Pinot Noir and 10 per cent Chardonnay. Other cuvées include Cuvée du Mélomane, Cuvée Yllen and R.P. There is also the vintage cuvée La Favorite, a grand cru made from 50 per cent Chardonnay and 50 per cent Pinot Noir, as well as the blanc de blancs L'Age d'Or. A particular speciality is the Bouzy Rouge, a red wine from the Coteaux Champenois appellation. It is made as a single-vintage wine and aged for two years in pièces, half-muids or foudres. A Bouzy Blanc is also on offer.

Visiting and tasting

Visitors report an informative tour with a tasting. Visits can be arranged in English and French. According to the Champagne trade body, the cellar is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 5.30pm, and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 12 noon and from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. It is wise to book in advance on +33 3 26 57 01 34.