Jacques Copin

Jacques Copin is an independent family estate in Verneuil, a small village between Épernay and Château-Thierry in the heart of the Vallée de la Marne. It is registered as a Récoltant-Manipulant, so the champagnes are made from the family's own grapes.

Five generations of winegrowing

Alfred Copin began growing vines in the late 19th century. From 1963, Jacques Copin built up the estate in Verneuil together with his wife Anne-Marie, and the Champagne Jacques Copin brand was created at that time. In 1995 their son Bruno and his wife Marielle joined and took over the running of the estate. Today they work alongside their children Lucile and Mathieu. The property lies on the tourist Champagne Route.

Vineyards and winemaking

The family farms a good 9 hectares in 34 parcels in Verneuil, Vandières and Try-Dormans, all within 6 km of the main site. Their preferred grape is Meunier. In the vineyard they rely on cover crops, sensible pruning and handwork. Gault&Millau describes the work as sustainable, even organic and biodynamic in good years. A continuous certification is not documented, however. In the cellar, the estate combines ageing in oak barrels with temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and micro-vinification.

The range is broad. The Les Origines and Les Parcellaires lines age for an average of three years, Les Polyphénols and Les Confidentielles for more than ten years in the cellar at Verneuil. The cuvées include a blanc de blancs, a rosé and vintage champagnes. Gault&Millau rated the 2006 Polyphénols 92 out of 100 points and the Extra Brut Le Beauchet 91.

Visiting and tasting

The estate is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. According to the estate, no reservation is needed for tastings, the shop and the champagne bar with its terrace. Guided tours and groups of 12 or more can be booked through the website. So booking is only required for tours and groups. The estate is closed on Sundays, which differs from the claim that visitors are welcome every day.