Daniel Etienne

Champagne Daniel Etienne is in Cumières, 4 km from Épernay, in the Grande Vallée de la Marne. The village lies on the right bank of the Marne, close to Hautvillers, the cradle of champagne. Cumières is classified as Premier Cru, and the Etienne family have been winegrowers here for four generations.

Family and history

The forebears divided their time between a farrier's forge and their vines. Jean-Marie Etienne launched the brand in 1958, and his sons Daniel and Pascal took over later. Daniel Etienne has been based in Cumières since 1983. For more than twenty years he built up the champagne under his father's name, and in 2009 he launched his own brand. In 2024 Louis-Marie, aged 22, joined the estate.

Vineyards and cuvées

The family farms 7 hectares of vines around Cumières. The south-facing slopes bring early ripening and yield not only Premier Cru champagnes but also well-regarded red wines. Pinot Noir, for which Cumières is known, clearly dominates. The harvest is done by hand, and the grapes are gently pressed in the pneumatic press. All the champagnes age for at least three years on the lees in the cellar. The estate holds the "Haute Valeur Environnementale" certification.

“Jean-Marie Etienne launched the brand in 1958, and his sons Daniel and Pascal took over later.

The pride of the house is the Cuvée Spéciale 1er Cru, the Zéro-Dosage 1er Cru and the Rosé 1er Cru. At the Concours des Vignerons Indépendants, the Extra-Brut "Terroir de Cumières" 2018 and the Brut Rosé 2019 each won gold. The 2015 vintage is currently on sale, with the 2018 to follow. A particular speciality is the Ratafia. According to the estate, it ages for almost three years in oak barrels. Alongside the Pinot Noir there is 20% Meunier. The musts are blended with Fine de Marne, which the grower distils himself every year in a rented municipal still. The Guide Hachette awarded it one of its first Coups de Cœur in the ratafia category.

Coligny

Visiting and tasting

The estate is a récoltant-manipulant. According to Epernay Tourisme, a visit with tasting costs €15, and it is open Monday to Saturday from 2:00 to 5:30 pm. According to the website, tastings take place by prior appointment, so it is wise to get in touch beforehand. The house also has guest rooms right on the banks of the Marne, which makes it easy to combine a stay in Cumières with the tasting.