Ellner

Charles Ellner is a family-run house in Épernay that has been going since 1905. It was founded by Charles-Émile Ellner, who started out as a remueur (riddler) at a well-known champagne house and bought small vineyard plots around Épernay on the side. Driven by an independent streak, he planted his own vines and made his own wine too.

Family and house

His son Pierre carried on the work and extended the vineyard holdings beyond Épernay. In 1972 the business became a négociant-manipulant. Today the house is run by Jean-Pierre Ellner, a grandson of the founder, supported by his two daughters and two nephews. The nephews, Frédéric and Arnaud, are responsible for the vineyards and production, while the daughters, Emmanuelle and Alexandra, also work in the business. In 1985 production, storage and offices were brought together in a single building in Épernay, and in 2013 the winery in Pierry was added.

Vineyards and style

The house farms vines in many parts of Champagne. These include the Montagne de Reims, Sézanne, the Côte des Blancs, the Aube around Bar-sur-Aube, the Marne valley and, above all, the slopes of Épernay, the family's home ground. The current website gives 45 hectares. Older sources speak of around 50 hectares. The grapes grown are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

What defines the style is the winemaking. All the cuvées are made without malolactic fermentation and age for at least five years on the lees, the 2008 millésime for up to 15 years. The cuvées are blends, ten in all. They include the Carte d'Or, the Brut Intégral and the Grande Réserve. The Brut Intégral is made from 55 per cent Chardonnay and 45 per cent Pinot Noir and is non-dosé.

Visiting and tasting

The house is at 6 Rue de la Côte Legris in Épernay. Cellar visits can be booked through an online booking platform. The cellars run for roughly two kilometres, and walking through them helps you understand why the wines are aged for so long. For dates and tastings, it is best to ask the house directly.