Francis Boulard & Fille

Francis Boulard & Fille is a small family house in Faverolles-et-Coëmy, around 20 minutes from Reims. In 2009 the children of Raymond Boulard went their separate ways. Francis Boulard, together with his wife Jeanne and his daughter Delphine, founded the house that bears their names. The family has been growing vines for at least six generations. The oldest family member who can be traced was born in 1792.

From Raymond Boulard to Delphine

The roots lie in the father's estate. In 1952 Raymond Boulard decided to vinify and bottle his own champagne. Francis Boulard took over the winemaking in the 1970s and devoted himself more and more to viticulture. His daughter Delphine runs the house today. She took over in 2016, when her father retired. Her son Quentin joined the estate in 2019.

Vines and way of working

The estate farms around 3 hectares, spread across the Massif Saint-Thierry, Mailly and the Vallée de la Marne. The plots lie near Cormicy, in the Hameau de Belval, in Cuchery, Cauroy-lès-Hermonville and in the grand cru of Mailly. The varieties planted are Pinot Meunier (40 per cent), Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (30 per cent each).

Francis Boulard gave the impetus for the switch to organic farming in the 2000s. The estate is certified organic, and also holds Biodyvin certification for biodynamics. In the cellar the house keeps intervention to a minimum, using wild yeasts and low-sulphur cuvées. Fermentation and ageing take place in used Burgundy barrels and a few foudres. The champagnes are not dosed, and are made as Extra Brut or Brut Nature.

Cuvées, visits and tasting

• Les Murgiers: Brut Nature with 50 per cent Pinot Meunier, 31 per cent Chardonnay and 19 per cent Pinot Noir
• Petraea: made on a principle similar to the solera system, with the newest harvest added at 50 per cent each year
• Les Rachais, Blanc de Blancs Vieilles Vignes, Le Murtet and Mailly-Champagne Grand Cru complete the range

Visitors are welcome. The Domaine de Flancourt offers a tour of the estate, a tasting of the cuvées and guest rooms with a table offer. Booking in advance is advisable.