Charles Heston

Charles Heston is not a classic family estate but the brand of a growers' cooperative. It belongs to the Les Six Coteaux cooperative, founded in 1951 in the Massif de Saint-Thierry, north-west of Reims. The cooperative launched the brand in 2009, although other sources give 2010. The name is a wink at the Années folles, the Roaring Twenties.

Sites and grapes

The cooperative farms around 154 hectares of vines across several villages of the Massif de Saint-Thierry: Pouillon, Villers-Franqueux, Thil, Saint-Thierry, Merfy and Brimont. Figures for the vineyard area vary between 105 and 154 hectares depending on the source. All three champagne grape varieties are grown: Pinot Meunier for roundness and fruit, Pinot Noir for power and Chardonnay for finesse. The house describes its style as the result of blending these cuvées, each with its own aromas. Storage, dégorgement and bottling all take place in Villers-Franqueux, on a three-hectare site.

Cuvées

The special cuvée L'Agat is a blanc de noirs made from 60 per cent Meunier and 40 per cent Pinot Noir. L'Ambassadrice, a blend of the three grape varieties, won a gold medal at the Vinalies Internationales. The range also includes a Brut Rosé and a red Coteaux Champenois called Les 6 Coteaux. The house takes particular care over its ratafia, which it offers in three versions: Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At the Foire Internationale aux Fromages in La Capelle, the Cuvée Tradition most recently took silver and the Ratafia Traditionnel gold.

Visiting and tasting

The caveau lies 15 minutes from the centre of Reims on the Route touristique des vins de Champagne, in the middle of the vineyards. There is a champagne bar with a panoramic terrace over the vines. In 2026 it is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 7pm, on Saturday from 10am to 7.30pm and on Sunday from 10am to 1.30pm. Pets are allowed. From March to December, the Arts et Terroirs market takes place at the caveau on the third Sunday of each month. Address: 20 Route de Thil, 51220 Villers-Franqueux.