Francis Mondet

Family and history

Champagne Mondet is based in Cormoyeux, a village on the right bank of the Marne, close to Hautvillers. The house gives 1926 as its founding year, when Jules Mondet began making wine. Older sources say 1928. In 1958 Eliane and Daniel Mondet brought in their first harvest in Cormoyeux. In 1969 their son Francis Mondet took over the estate. He married Marie-France Mongardien, and together they expanded the vineyards, the range and the client base. The house came about through the union of the Mondet and Mongardien/Pognot growing families.

Since 1999 the two daughters, Line and Laurence, have run the house together with their husbands Laurent and Frédéric. Today it is in the hands of the fourth generation. Francis Mondet is both vigneron and négociant.

Vineyards and cellars

The vineyards lie on the terroirs of Cormoyeux and Romery in the valley of the Brunet, a small stream running across the Marne valley. Hachette gives 11 hectares, while the family itself most recently spoke of 10. A small part lies in Passy-Grigny. The estate grows Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Some plots are over 60 years old and supply the best cuvées. The chalk subsoil acts like a thermostat: it absorbs moisture and releases it when the vine needs it.

“The house gives 1926 as its founding year, when Jules Mondet began making wine.

On the way they work: the estate is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale and Viticulture Durable en Champagne. The chef de caves is responsible for all the winemaking on site. In 200 metres of natural chalk cellars, 20 metres underground, up to 350,000 bottles rest at 10 to 12 °C.

The champagnes

The range runs from the non-dosed Brut Nature through Blanc de Blancs and Brut Rosé to the Brut Tradition. The top cuvées are Brut Fût de Chêne, Brut Intense, Butte des Chênes and Prestige Millésimé. The Brut Tradition earned one star in the Guide Hachette.

Champagner Region

If you are passing by, you can, according to the house, book a guided cellar tour of about 30 minutes with commentary. It shows how the champagne is made, from the harvest through remuage and dégorgement to marketing. The tour ends with a tasting of different grape varieties and dosages, from Brut to Dosage Zéro. Address: 2 Rue Dom Pérignon, 51480 Cormoyeux. For groups of more than six people, a reservation is recommended.