Henriet Bazin

Henriet-Bazin is a récoltant-manipulant in Villers-Marmery, on the north-eastern flank of the Montagne de Reims. The family has farmed vines here since 1890 and has been making champagne since the 1930s. The estate counts five generations since its founding. Other sources speak of four generations, so the count varies.

From Gaston Henriet to Marie-Noëlle

Gaston Henriet founded his house in 1890 together with two fellow growers from Verzenay. They wanted to control the winemaking and the selling themselves, rather than sell their grapes to the big négociant houses. His son Robert took over in 1930. Daniel Henriet married Micheline Bazin, the daughter of a winegrowing family from Villers-Marmery. That union created the Henriet-Bazin brand in 1968. Since 1991, Marie-Noëlle Henriet-Bazin has run the estate together with Nicolas and is responsible for the assemblage. She persuaded her father to vinify the entire production themselves, and she expanded exports.

Sites, grape varieties and cellar

The domaine farms 7.76 hectares, some classed as premier cru around Villers-Marmery, some as grand cru at Verzy and Verzenay. Further parcels lie in Faverolles and Coëmy. The plantings are 42.5% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 22.5% Pinot Meunier.

Every parcel is picked by hand, and at pressing the juice flows into the tanks by gravity alone, without a pump. The wine from each parcel then rests on its lees for around nine months in one of 27 enamel-lined tanks. The cuvée Hypolite is aged in oak barrels made from wood from the forest of Villers-Marmery, and a solera has also been running since 1968, serving as reserve wine for some of the cuvées. The wines are given only a low dosage.

The cuvées

• Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut: a Chardonnay from Villers-Marmery alone, marked by freshness and chalky minerality.
• Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru from Verzy and Verzenay
• Hypolite: a blanc de blancs aged in oak barrels
• Gaston & Louise: a premier cru with 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, brut nature.

The estate sells directly from the cellar door. Visits are by appointment only: 9 rue des Mises, 51380 Villers-Marmery.