Elodie D.

Elodie D. is a récoltant-manipulant based on the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay. Elodie's ancestors have been tending vines in Écueil on the Montagne de Reims since 1692, and their first champagne was made in 1844. For almost a century the house has been run exclusively by women, and Elodie Desbordes is the fifth generation in this line. She took over the estate at the age of 20 from her mother, Marie-Christine Desbordes.

Sites, grape varieties and work in the vineyard

The family estate today covers 9.14 hectares in 33 plots, spread across four villages: mostly Écueil, plus Chamery, Sermiers and Faverolles-et-Coemy. Elodie D.'s champagnes are made exclusively from Premier Cru grapes, which means without Faverolles-et-Coemy, and from selected plots in Écueil.

Pinot Noir is the dominant grape variety. In the blends, Pinot Meunier contributes fruit, Chardonnay adds finesse and freshness, and Pinot Gris brings delicacy. Worth noting are the single-plot cuvées, which are meant to show the character of individual sites. They include a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir grown mainly on sand, and a Pinot Gris, also planted on sand.

Since 1997 Elodie has relied on traditional methods such as horse ploughing and ageing in barrels. The range runs from champagne aged in egg-shaped tanks to wood-barrel ageing. The vineyard is certified VDC (sustainable viticulture in Champagne) and HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale). Since 2020, a flock of 40 sheep has also grazed selectively among the vines from November to March.

Visiting and tasting in Épernay

The champagne bar Bulles & Bonheur at 73 Avenue de Champagne opened in 2017 and is run by Elodie and her husband Fabrice. The building was built around 1880 by Eugène Mercier and bought by Elodie in 1998. Today there is a guest apartment on the first floor and the bar on the ground floor. The tasting menu includes the cuvées Pierre, Marie, Paul, Louis and Rosé.

The vineyard, press and cellar can be visited by prior appointment. The bar gives its opening hours as daily from 11:00 to 17:30. Please check these on the house's website before your visit. Gault&Millau rated, among others, Belle Âme 2010 and Résurgence 2007 at 93 out of 100 points each.