Goutorbe Bouillot

Goutorbe-Bouillot is a small family estate in Damery, a village in the Vallée de la Marne just west of Épernay. The house works as a récoltant-manipulant and belongs to the Vignerons Indépendants. On the estate's website the history is told as the story of a village: three families, the Bouillots, the Goutorbes and the Papleux, worked the same land here for generations. Most sources give 1911 as the year the brand was founded.

Family and vineyard

The Bouillots took part in the vignerons' uprising of 1911. After that, growers began making their own wines into champagne. The first champagnes were pure Meunier. The house takes its name from Jules Goutorbe and Louise Bouillot. In 1965 Edmond Papleux built new cellars, and the family settled at 14 Rue Anatole France, where the estate still stands today. According to the house, Dominique, Dominique and their son Bastien now farm 8 hectares. Bastien is a great-grandson of Jules and Louise. He returned to the estate in 2010, completed a BTS in viticulture and oenology, and set the first exports to England and Italy in motion.

The vines are mostly in Damery, with a few in Cumières. Depending on the source, they are spread over 30 to 35 parcels. The estate grows Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with more than half of the vineyard planted to Meunier. Some parcels were planted in 1930. The estate is HVE certified (Haute Valeur Environnementale) and holds the viticulture durable label.

“Most sources give 1911 as the year the brand was founded.Family and vineyardThe Bouillots took part in the vignerons' uprising of 1911.

Solera and cuvées

The house's particular feature is its perpetual reserve, run on the solera principle. It was started in 1980 for the Carte d'Or and in 2000 for the other non-vintage cuvées. Every year, 50 per cent of this reserve wine goes into the blend.

Legal notice

• Reflets de Rivière: 60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, no malolactic fermentation, 36 months on the lees.
• Noir Coteaux: Brut, described as generous and round.
• Les Brustins 2015: Extra Brut with notes of oak.
• Rétrospective 80-15: Extra Brut from the réserve perpétuelle.
• Le Ru des Charmes: Rosé with 6 to 8% red Meunier wine in the blend.

Visit and tasting

The estate welcomes visitors in Damery. You can see the vineyards, the press house and the cellar, and taste the champagnes. Tastings take place by appointment. It is best to contact the estate directly beforehand.