Herve Dubois

The house's beginnings go back to 1920: Paul Dubois, a native of the Ardennes and a coachman at the Château de Cazanove in Avize, began transporting wine by horse and cart. He bought land in Avize to grow fodder. Later he pressed his first cuvées in barrels and sold them under the name Paul Dubois. Today the family runs the house in its fourth generation: Paul, Jean, Hervé and Nina. The handover from Hervé to his daughter Nina is therefore a lived tradition. Nina returned to the family estate in 2012.

Vineyards in Avize and the surrounding area

Hervé Dubois took over the family business in 1980. The house is based in Avize, one of the five grand cru villages of the Côte des Blancs. According to the house, around 6.5 hectares are farmed, of which 3.5 hectares are Chardonnay grand cru in the Côte des Blancs and 0.5 hectares are Chardonnay premier cru on the Montagne de Reims. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier make up the rest. Figures for the total area vary depending on the source, from roughly 6 to 7.5 hectares.

One particular feature lies in the cellar: the Chardonnay does not go through malolactic fermentation. This is meant to preserve the freshness of the fruit and bring balance during ageing in bottle.

The cuvées

The focus is on Chardonnay. Most of the cuvées are made largely from this grape. According to the growers' directory, the range includes the Brut Tradition, the Brut Réserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, a Millésime Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, a Cuvée Spéciale Millésime and a Brut Rosé. The Brut Tradition combines Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. One tasting report describes it as fresh, with notes of citrus and white fruit.

Visiting and tasting

On a guided tour the house shows visitors its old cellar, the modern press and the old fermentation room. To finish, three cuvées are tasted. Visitors are welcome; please phone for opening hours. Tours are offered in French and English. You can reach the house on +33 3 26 57 52 45, and the address is 67 Rue Ernest Vallé in Avize.