Cuillier Pere Et Fils

Cuillier Père et Fils is a family estate in Pouillon, in the Massif de Saint-Thierry north of Reims. The estate was founded in 1904. Some of the family's ancestors were already farming the land there in the 18th century. Patrick and Marie-Paule Cuillier, the fourth generation, have passed their knowledge on to their son Vincent. Vincent Cuillier has run the estate as managing director since 2020.

Sandy soils in the Massif de Saint-Thierry

The vines cover 4.5 hectares, spread across three areas: Pouillon, Trigny and Chenay. Older sources give around 6 hectares. The estate's current figure is 4.5 hectares. In Pouillon, sandy clay dominates, which suits Pinot Meunier. Trigny is marked more by sand rich in silica. Chenay has yellow sand from the Thanetian, with shells and fossilised palm remains. Vincent Cuillier describes the soils as low in chalk and rich in sand. This, he says, gives fruitier, riper wines. Mostly Pinot Noir and Meunier are grown. Chardonnay is also part of the plantings.

Organic, vegan and agroforestry

Since 2015 the estate has been converting its vines to organic farming. The whole operation is now certified organic and vegan. Vincent Cuillier relies on agroforestry and plants lime trees between the vines. They are meant to soften extremes of weather and improve how water drains into the soil. The family works as a récoltant-coopérateur, so there is no production site of their own to visit. The range includes the Brut Originel. It is made mostly from Pinot Meunier and comes from sandy-clay soils. There is also a Grande Réserve, which combines the three Champagne grape varieties in equal parts.

Visiting and tasting

In Pouillon the estate offers a tasting of its cuvées. On request there is also a visit to the cooperative, a walk through the vines, sabrage workshops and balloon flights. Vincent Cuillier and his wife Émeline De Sloovere have brought the two family estates together. The tour of the vinification cellars now takes place at Domaine La Grange le Comte in Brugny. It ends with a tasting of two cuvées. Ask about the current meeting point before you travel.