Dauby

Champagne Dauby is based on the Rue Jeanson in Aÿ, a grand cru village near Épernay in the Grande Vallée de la Marne. The house is registered as a récoltant-manipulant. That means it controls every step from planting to harvest and can name the origin of every wine.

One family, three generations and a fresh start

The Daubys have worked vines for more than four generations. In 1956 they began making champagne. The story of the house starts with the meeting of two winegrowing families, those of Thérèse Tissier and Guy Dauby. They bought a few small oak barrels and bottled their first wines under their own name. From 1990 Francine, the founders' daughter, ran the estate. Her daughter Flore joined her in 2007, which is where the words "Mère & Fille" on many labels come from. Flore Dauby died in 2018. Since then her husband Teddy Samato has run the estate. According to Gault&Millau, Teddy and Francine Dauby are responsible for every stage of winemaking. The statement that mother and daughter still work together today is therefore no longer true.

Vineyards, grape varieties and ageing

The estate covers 8 hectares across five villages: Aÿ as grand cru, the premiers crus Mutigny, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Avenay, and Barbonne-Fayel. Pinot Noir accounts for 60 per cent of the plantings, with Chardonnay making up the rest. In Barbonne-Fayel the parcels are being converted to organic viticulture. Every year the family keeps back part of the harvest in oak foudres and barrels. These reserve wines give the blends depth and complexity. The cellars were dug into the chalk at the end of the 19th century.

Cuvées, visits and tasting

The range runs from Réserve and Grande Réserve Premier Cru through Rosé and Millésime to the Cuvée Guy Dauby and the Extra Brut Flore. The Cuvée Flore is half Pinot Noir and half Chardonnay, with the addition of reserve wines aged in barrel. According to the Guide Hachette, the Blanc de Noirs spent four years on the lees and shows citrus zest and red fruit. The poppy is the symbol of the house.

Visits and tastings are possible by appointment, by email or telephone. Épernay Tourisme gives a price of 20 to 30 euros for a visit with a group tasting.