Dechelle Philippe

Champagne Philippe Dechelle is a family estate on the south-facing slopes of the western Marne valley. The village of Brasles lies upriver from Château-Thierry in the Aisne département. Here Philippe Dechelle makes champagne under his own name.

Origins and family

The estate traces its roots back to 1902, when the phylloxera crisis turned the family into vine grafters. Philippe's grandfather was a maître greffeur and helped to replant the vineyards after phylloxera. Philippe Dechelle set up on family plots in 1982 and left the cooperative with his brother in 1987. He then fitted out a winery and a press house. He inherited unplanted land, planted it himself and studied at the École d'Avize.

Today Philippe makes every bottle himself. Clara looks after export, Vincent tends the vineyards and Alice handles communication. The third generation is taking over, with the second still at their side.

Vines and way of working

The estate farms around ten hectares in the Vallée de la Marne. The register of the Vignerons Indépendants lists 11 hectares, mostly within the commune of Brasles. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay are planted in equal parts. The estate holds the "Haute Valeur Environnementale" label. In the cellar, Philippe Dechelle uses as little sulphur as possible. The house specialises in mature champagnes with little or no dosage. According to the Guide Hachette, all cuvées age for at least three years on the lees.

Cuvées, visits and tasting

• Cuvée Nude: Clara stands behind this cuvée. It is made as an Extra Brut with fine bubbles, little sugar and five years on the lees.
• Cuvée Terrienne and Blanc de Meuniers 2018, both Extra Brut.
• Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut 2016: awarded a gold medal at the Concours des Vignerons Indépendants.

Visitors are welcome from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm. The estate offers a tour of the cellar and vineyards, plus a tasting. If you would like to stay longer, the gîte "Le Pressoir" sleeps six. Address: 20 Rue Paul Doumer, Brasles.