Fresne Ducret

Fresne Ducret is an independent family estate in Villedommange, a Premier Cru village on the Montagne de Reims close to Reims. The house cites seven generations of growers and its first own-label champagnes in 1946. Other sources give 1948 as the start of their own champagne production. After the Second World War, Jean, André and Joseph Fresne founded the house and made champagne from their own grapes. They formed the brand name from the names of their parents.

Pierre Fresne and the return to independence

Pierre Fresne took over the estate in 2007, after making wine in Burgundy and New Zealand and then helping his parents. Some sources give 2006. In Burgundy he met his Canadian wife, Daniella. He built a press house and a winery so as to work again as an independent grower, after 50 years in a cooperative.

Vines and way of working

The estate covers 6 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards, spread over 25 parcels, all but one of them in Villedommange. The grape varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Petit Meslier. Pierre Fresne planted the almost forgotten Petit Meslier on a small parcel.

In 2012 he gave up herbicides and reintroduced ploughing, and in 2018 he began the conversion to organic farming. The first certified organic harvest was 2021, and all 6.04 hectares are now certified.

The cuvées

• Les Nouveaux Explorateurs: an exploration of the terroir of Villedommange, in which Meunier predominates.
• Le Chemin du Chemin: aged in the cellar for at least three years, with all three classic grape varieties and 40 per cent Chardonnay (vintages 2017 and 2016 in the version described by the Guide Hachette).
• La Grande Hermine: a vintage champagne that spends at least eight years on the lees.
• Pierre & Prosper: no more than 2,000 bottles a year, each numbered bottle riddled and disgorged by hand.
• Arquémie: a limited series that Pierre Fresne has produced since 2014 out of a love of experimenting.

Visit and tasting

The estate welcomes visitors by appointment. By its own description, it shows its vaulted cellars, press, cuverie and vineyard. In the tasting room you can try the cuvées. Address: 10 Rue Saint Vincent, 51390 Villedommange. Telephone: +33 3 26 49 24 60.