Daniel Dumont

A family estate in Rilly la Montagne

Champagne Daniel Dumont is based on the Rue Gambetta in Rilly la Montagne. The village is classified Premier Cru and sits on the northern flank of the Montagne de Reims. According to the estate, the business is now run by the fourth generation. The Hachette wine guide dates its foundation to the 1960s. Daniel Dumont set up on his own in 1962 and expanded his parents' holding by taking over another parcel of vines. He has been at the head of the family business since 1992. The family also works as vine nurserymen.

Vines and methods

The estate gives its vineyard area as eleven hectares. Hachette and Gault&Millau quote roughly ten hectares. The grapes grown are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Dumont is a récoltant-manipulant: every step from pressing to sale takes place on the estate. The harvest is sorted parcel by parcel. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Since 2019 the house has been certified with the HVE label (Haute Valeur Environnementale). All cuvées age for three to six years in the cellar.

Cuvées, visit and tasting

The Grande Réserve is a brut. It is made up of 40 per cent each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and 20 per cent Pinot Meunier. The Chardonnay for the Cuvée d'Excellence ages in oak barrels. The Prestige is a Premier Cru which, in the rated vintages 2013 and 2014, was 70 per cent Pinot Noir and 30 per cent Chardonnay. There is also a Cuvée Solera, a Brut Rosé, a Demi-Sec and a red Coteaux Champenois from Rilly, made from Pinot Noir.

According to the estate, around 85,000 bottles are sold each year, from the cellar door and to more than 20 countries. On a visit you see the vineyard, the press house and the cellar, followed by the tasting. The cellar dates from 1870, says the estate. The vaulted chalk cellars lie 25 metres underground. Visits are possible by prior appointment, and tours in English are offered. The cellar is open Monday to Friday from 8 to 12 and from 1.30 to 5.30 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 to 12 and from 2 to 4.30 pm.