Jean-Marc Vatel

Jean-Marc Vatel runs his champagne house in Verneuil, in the Marne Valley. By its own account, the estate has been making champagne for four generations. The bottles carry the designation Champagne de Vigneron, which means the grapes come from the grower's own vineyard.

Sites and way of working

The vineyard covers 8 hectares on the sunny slopes of Verneuil, Festigny and Le Mesnil-le-Huttier, about 22 kilometres from Épernay. The varieties grown are Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Meunier plays a big part: the Cuvée Brut Grande Réserve is made up of 54 per cent Meunier, 34 per cent Pinot Noir and 12 per cent Chardonnay. According to the house, it holds two certifications: Haute Valeur Environnementale and Viticulture Durable en Champagne.

The cuvées

The range is compact, yet it runs from single-variety bottlings to a vintage champagne:

• Tradition Brut: 44 per cent each of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, plus 12 per cent Chardonnay. The aromas range from lime blossom and mimosa to quince and fresh almonds.
• Cuvée Meunier: a champagne made from 100 per cent Meunier.
• Cuvée Chardonnay: awarded a gold medal by Terre de Vins in 2019.
• Vieilles Vignes Millésime 2018: a blend from the best plots, with vines more than 30 years old. Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay contribute a third each.
• Prestige Millésime 2018: 41 per cent Chardonnay, 37 per cent Pinot Noir and 22 per cent Pinot Meunier.

There is also a Brut Rosé (La Vie en Rose), a Demi Sec (La Vie Gourmande) and a Ratafia de Champagne. The Brut Grande Réserve won a gold medal at Gilbert & Gaillard in 2025. The Prestige and Vieilles Vignes cuvées each received Double Or there in 2022.

Visiting the house

The house lies on the Route touristique du Champagne, around 50 kilometres from Reims and 70 kilometres from Paris. Please arrange visits and tastings in advance by telephone on +33 3 26 52 94 67. The house also ships orders placed through its website.