Dagonet & Fils

Dagonet & Fils is a family estate in Hautvillers, the village that, thanks to Dom Pérignon, is regarded as the cradle of champagne. The house sits at the highest point of the village and owns just over 3 hectares of vines. The grower family has been rooted in Hautvillers since 1822. The website talks of seven generations. One tourist portal gives a little over 4 hectares. The house's own website, by contrast, says just over 3 hectares, and that is the figure used here.

From vineyard to cellar

The vines grow on the village's historic slopes. In September, teams of pickers harvest the grapes by hand. The first alcoholic fermentation takes place in large, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After around six months of vinification in tank, the cuvées are blended. Jérôme runs the cellar work and sticks to the traditional methods.

The cuvées

The range covers all three of Champagne's grape varieties:

• Tradition: 45% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, a Brut with 9 g of sugar per litre, aged for at least 24 months in the cellar. The wine contains reserve wine. It has won several medals.
• Pur Chardonnay and Réserve Blanche: two blanc de blancs. The Réserve Blanche comes from the house's finest Chardonnays and shows citrus, fresh fruit and delicate pastry notes.
• Emprise: a blanc de noirs.
• Cuvée 1822: an Extra Brut made exclusively from Pinot Noir with a dosage of 6 g/l. It is a tribute to the family's forebears. A commemorative bracelet bearing the house crest hangs from the closure. It was most recently sold out.

The house also makes a rosé, the Cuvée de Réserve, L'intempérance and a Ratafia Champenois.

Visit and tasting

Tastings take place in the cellar on the heights of Hautvillers. You taste there or on the terrace with its panoramic view. Guided visits are possible in English and French. Visitors describe the atmosphere as relaxed and informal. The grower explains terroir and viticulture as you taste. Opening hours are given differently in different sources, so a quick enquiry beforehand on +33 3 26 52 69 60 is advisable.