Benoit Lahaye

The estate of Benoît Lahaye is in Bouzy, a grand cru village on the Montagne de Reims. The domaine was founded in 1930, and Benoît Lahaye took over the small family property in 1993. He is a fourth-generation grower. Today he works alongside his wife Valérie and their two sons.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The 4.8 hectares are divided between roughly 3 hectares in Bouzy, 1 hectare in Ambonnay, 0.6 hectares in Tauxières and a small plot of Chardonnay, more than 50 years old, in Voipreux in the southern Côte des Blancs. Pinot Noir accounts for around 88 per cent, so it is clearly the heart of the estate. At the same time, Lahaye makes room for historic varieties: Arbanne and Petit Meslier, which have almost disappeared today.

Work in the vineyard and in the cellar

Lahaye has farmed his vines organically since 2003 (certified in 2007) and has followed biodynamic principles since 2009. For working the soil he uses a powerful horse called Tamise, so that the ground does not become compacted. In the cellar the guiding principle is minimal intervention. Most of the wines are aged in 205-litre barrels of French oak, alongside foudres and clay amphorae. He works with native yeasts, lets malolactic fermentation run its own course, and bottles without filtration or fining. Sulphur is used only in minimal amounts. He also has a laboratory on site, which cultivates his own yeasts.

The cuvées

• Brut Nature Grand Cru: 90 per cent Pinot Noir from Bouzy and Ambonnay, with no dosage.
• Blanc de Noirs: 100 per cent Pinot Noir from Bouzy and Tauxières.
• Rosé de Macération: made solely from Pinot Noir, by a short maceration of whole bunches.
• Violaine: vinified, aged and bottled without any added sulphur. It is half Pinot Noir and half Chardonnay.
• Le Jardin de la Grosse Pierre: a field blend from a single plot in Bouzy, including Pinot Noir, Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Teinturier.

Alongside the sparkling wines there is a still red, the Bouzy Rouge. Peter Liem counts it among the best still red wines of Champagne. The estate's address is 33 Rue Jeanne d'Arc, 51150 Bouzy.