Daubanton & Fils

Of the 319 villages of Champagne, only two lie in the Haute-Marne, and both belong to the Côte des Bar. Rizaucourt-Buchey, home of this estate, is one of them. It was here that Monique and Jean-Jacques Daubanton planted their first vine in 1982, and in 1990 they sold their first bottle of champagne.

Family and vineyard

The family estate has grown steadily and today farms 4 hectares in three villages: Rizaucourt, Argentolles and Dolancourt. The Haute-Marne sites carry all three champagne grape varieties: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. The family practises viticulture raisonnée, a careful, environmentally minded approach to growing vines. Most of the vineyard work is done by the family itself, supported by their children Amélie, Clément and Victorien. In the cellar, Amélie and Clément are responsible for vinifying the cuvées.

Cellar and cuvées

Since the 2012 harvest, the champagne has been made on the estate, in new premises, using the traditional method. The whole process is carried out in house, from the hand harvest to the dispatch of the bottles.

• Range: Brut, Blanc de Noirs, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé and Prestige, plus the Cuvée Victorien Millésime and a ratafia.
• Blanc de Blancs: vinified and aged in oak barrels.
• Blanc de Noirs: pure Pinot Noir, with a clear attack and pronounced minerality.

The Guide Hachette 2023 describes a Brut made from 70% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier and Chardonnay, of which 10% was vinified in barrel. It shows a mineral, flinty aroma, floral and biscuity notes, a creamy mousse and a straight, lemony acidity.

Visits and tastings

Rizaucourt and Argentolles lie a few kilometres from Colombey-les-Deux-Églises and are stops on the Route Touristique du Champagne. It is best to ask about opening times by phone on +33 3 25 01 50 80. The Chaumont tourist office quotes 5 euros per person for group tastings with a visit. The address is 21 Rue de la Haute Fontaine, 52330 Rizaucourt-Buchey.