Delabarre Mère Et Fille

In the heart of the Marne Valley, about 20 kilometres from Épernay, a mother and daughter run a family estate in Vandières: Christiane Delabarre and her daughter Charline. Charline represents the fifth generation. According to the house, the family tradition goes back to 1895. The Guide Hachette dates the start of work in the vineyard to the 1920s, and the sale of their own champagnes to the 1950s. The current operating company was founded in December 2017.

Vineyards and way of working

The house farms 6 hectares in two villages of the Marne Valley, Vandières and Verneuil. The soils are clay and limestone. The vineyard is planted to 60% Pinot Meunier, 27% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay. That puts Meunier clearly at the centre, as is typical of the Marne Valley. These figures describe the make-up of the vineyard. They are not a cuvée recipe.

Delabarre is a Récoltant-Manipulant and a member of the Vignerons Indépendants. The estate has held the Haute Valeur Environnementale certification since 2020. The house states that everything is done on the estate: the work in the vineyard, including ploughing the soil, the pressing, the assemblage and the bottling.

The cuvées

The website speaks of seven cuvées. The range includes Tradition, Réservée, Rosé, Prestige, Blanc de Blancs, a Millésime and the Doucereuse, among others. There is also a Ratafia champenois. The current Tradition is made up of 46% Pinot Noir, 36% Pinot Meunier and 18% Chardonnay. It combines the 2018 and 2020 harvests in equal parts and is blended with the best press juice. The house describes it as dry and fruity at the same time.

Visiting and tasting

The estate welcomes visitors at 26-28 Rue de Châtillon in Vandières. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm. Cellar tours and tastings are on offer. According to the tourism portal, prices range from 15 to 30 euros. The tasting is free if you buy at least six bottles. It is best to arrange a time in advance, by telephone on +33 3 26 58 02 65.