Jean-Luc Fallet

The estate of Jean-Luc and Alexandra Fallet is in the commune of Charly-sur-Marne, in the hamlet of Drachy, at the very southern tip of the Aisne département. It is about an hour from Paris and lies on the Champagne tourist route. Several winegrowing families called Fallet work in Drachy. This portrait is about the house of Jean-Luc Fallet, an independent grower with his own address on the Rue des Clos du Mont.

Five generations and a family business

According to the house, the family has been making champagne since 1890. As winegrowers, they are documented as far back as the early 17th century. In 1903 Charles Fallet won a gold medal for the quality of his white wine at the agricultural competition in Paris. In the 1950s Roland Fallet took over the estate from his father and introduced vinification techniques to the house for the first time. To do so, he converted the old barn, where the Diocese of Soissons had once collected the tithe, into the cuverie. Since 1972 Roland has been the family's first Récoltant Manipulant. Today his son Jean-Luc carries on the tradition. The cuvées are made under his direction with the support of an oenologist.

Vineyard and way of working

The estate covers 5 hectares. Pinot Meunier, the typical grape of the Marne Valley, makes up 60 per cent, Chardonnay 30 per cent and Pinot Noir 10 per cent. Jean-Luc Fallet works according to the principles of "reasoned" viticulture (agriculture raisonnée). He grows grass between the vine rows, works the soil and uses only approved treatments. The estate is therefore not certified organic.

“In 1903 Charles Fallet won a gold medal for the quality of his white wine at the agricultural competition in Paris.

The champagnes and a visit

The range is broad. It runs from a pure Meunier Brut through Brut Rosé and Brut Harmonie to the Demi-Sec Douceur. The Brut Chardonnay is 100 per cent Chardonnay and stands out for its freshness and minerality. There is also a vintage Brut and the Cuvée Prestige as a Brut Nature, which won a silver medal at the Concours Général Agricole in 2025. Ratafia de Champagne and Marc de Champagne round off the offer.

Visits are possible from Monday to Saturday by prior appointment; the estate is closed on Sundays. There is also a tour of the Drachy vineyards in an electric vehicle, guided in French, English, Russian or Dutch. For a tasting, it is best to call +33 6 68 56 01 71.