Caillez Lemaire

The house of Caillez Lemaire is based in Damery, on the right bank of the Marne. Raymond Caillez and Andrée Lemaire, heirs to a line of winegrowers going back to the 18th century, launched their own brand in 1942 and so became récoltants-manipulants. Annie and Henri Caillez followed them, and today Virginie and Laurent Vanpoperinghe run the house, which they have done since 2005. Virginie Caillez is thus the third generation. The family house in Damery dates from 1825. At first it served as a home, and later the cellars were dug out and extended for making champagne.

Vineyards and approach

The vineyard covers 45 parcels over 6.3 hectares within a radius of 6 kilometres. They lie mostly on the right bank of the Marne around five villages: Hautvillers and Cumières (both Premier Cru), Damery, Fleury-la-Rivière and Vauciennes. The growers work organically. They aim to use as few additions as possible and age most of the wines in oak casks. The estate was close to completing its conversion to organic farming and has resumed vinification under wood. Virginie's father was already one of the first récoltants to bring the cask back, in 1994. The Guide Hachette also mentions vines in Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon once worked.

The cuvées

• Reflets Extra Brut: a blend of 45 per cent Pinot Meunier, 35 per cent Pinot Noir and 20 per cent Chardonnay, dosage 5 g/l, no malolactic fermentation, 24 months on the lees.
• Éclats Extra Brut: another extra brut cuvée in the house range.
• Jadis: the vintage champagne has carried this name since 2003 and is made almost every year. It takes its character less from the very old wood than from long ageing in bottle. The Jadis 2010 received a Coup de Cœur in the Guide Hachette.
• Pur Meunier: this cuvée of Meunier from Damery is aged for seven months in oak from the communal forests.

The Guide Hachette 2024 named the house Winegrower of the Year.

Visit and tasting

According to the Comité Champagne, the house offers a guided tour of the estate with a tasting. Visitors see the buildings from 1825, the press and the cellars. Booking ahead is recommended for a visit. You can find the house at 14 Rue Pierre Curie, 51480 Damery, or call +33 3 26 58 41 85.