Bruno Michel

From nurseryman to grower

Bruno Michel began as the owner of a vine nursery. He then became a grower and, in 1980, founded an estate with his wife Catherine south of Épernay. Some sources give 1985 as the founding year. The village of Pierry lies about 2 km south of Épernay. Today the estate farms around 12 hectares, spread over more than 35 plots. Other sources give slightly different figures, between 12 and 15 hectares.

Vines and organic work

The plantings are 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier and the rest Pinot Noir. The soils are clay and chalk. The estate is one of the few in Champagne to turn to organic farming early: the conversion began in the late 1990s and certification followed in 2004. Chemical weedkillers are avoided so that the soil can come back to life. The work in the vineyard includes tilling, canopy management and leaf removal, and the grapes are picked by hand. Since 2016 Bruno's daughter Pauline Orban, an oenologist, has run the cellar together with her husband Guillaume.

Cellar and cuvées

The champagnes mature in the same village, in vaulted chalk cellars dug by Benedictine monks in the 18th century, which stay constantly cool and damp. The range includes:

• Cuvée Blanche: half Meunier, half Chardonnay, six months in barrel
• Assemblée: the non-vintage blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier
• Cuvée Rebelle: an organic champagne with no dosage (Brut Nature)
• La Demi-Lune: 100% Pinot Meunier from a single plot in the lieu-dit of the same name
• Les Brousses: a blanc de blancs from 100% Chardonnay, premier cru from Pierry
• Les Oubliées Pauline: the house's top cuvée, made in great years from the best Chardonnay, usually from Les Brousses, and named after Bruno's daughter

Visiting: tastings and sales take place at the estate. The address is 4 Allée de la Vieille Ferme, 51530 Pierry, telephone +33 3 26 55 10 54. It is advisable to get in touch beforehand.