Emmanuel Dravigny

Vrigny lies in the Petite Montagne de Reims, west of Reims, and is classified as a premier cru village. Here Emmanuel Dravigny runs a small estate of just under 2 hectares. He comes from a family of growers and carries on their tradition. Among connoisseurs, his champagne is known as an address for those who like to make discoveries.

From chef de cave to his own champagne

In 2008 Emmanuel Dravigny became chef de cave of the Vrigny cooperative. He then struck out on his own with bottles under his own name. According to the website, the first cuvées reached the market in 2016, while the Hachette wine guide gives 2015 as the year of launch. In 2021 the estate received dual certification: VDC (Viticulture Durable en Champagne) and HVE Level 3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale). It confirms the environmental care that, by his own account, he had been practising for some time already.

Meunier at the centre

The soil in Vrigny is clay and sand, which suits Pinot Meunier. It covers around 80 per cent of the village's vineyard area, even though it yields less than Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At Dravigny it takes centre stage: the cuvées are made of 80 to 100 per cent Meunier, from vines more than 35 years old. The estate makes three champagnes:

• L'Équilibre Parfait: a brut, predominantly Meunier.
• Carminat: a rosé d'assemblage. According to Hachette it contains 88 per cent black grapes, mainly Meunier, and shows orange glints. The grower describes it as fruity and light.
• L'Esprit Meunier: a brut nature, so without dosage, a blanc de noirs from premier cru Meunier.

Visits and tastings

Emmanuel Dravigny is happy to receive visitors and shows them the vineyard and the cellar. You need to phone ahead and make an appointment. The estate gives its opening hours as Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12 noon. At the cellar door, bottles currently cost 18 to 21 euros. If you want to compare all three cuvées, the website offers a tasting pack with the trilogy. The address is 1 Rue du Moulin Grignon, 51390 Vrigny.