Larnaudie-Hirault

Champagne Larnaudie-Hirault is based in Trois-Puits, a village classified Premier Cru in the Montagne de Reims, a few kilometres south of Reims. Yves and Marie-Thérèse Larnaudie launched their own champagne here in 1975. Their eldest son Michaël joined the estate in 2006 and took over the running of it in 2015. As a récoltant-manipulant and a member of the Vignerons Indépendants, they carry out every step up to the finished bottle on the estate itself.

Vineyards, grape varieties and way of working

The estate covers 6 hectares in 18 parcels planted with Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. They lie in Trois-Puits, Taissy, Montbré and Sacy (all Premier Cru sites) as well as in Verneuil. The estate has been converting to organic viticulture since 2020, and 2023 saw the first organic harvest in its history. The house also holds the Viticulture Durable en Champagne label. In the cellar there is a press, stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. Around 40,000 bottles are sold each year.

The cuvées

• Brut Tradition "Les Trois Puys": one third each of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, dosage 8 g/l. This champagne shows notes of apple and pear and is meant as an aperitif. It is also made as a Brut Nature and a Demi-sec.
• Blanc de Noirs: pure Pinot Noir, with a golden colour, ripe fruit, a powerful, structured body and fresh citrus notes.
• Rosé: an assemblage rosé from all three grape varieties, 30% of it Chardonnay. 15% Pinot Noir vinified as red wine gives it its pale salmon colour.
• Prestige: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in equal parts, 20% of it aged in wood.

Visits and tasting

Visits are possible by appointment, for groups of up to 20 people, and English is spoken. The tour takes you through the cellar and ends with a tasting of two Premier Cru champagnes. It is best to ask the estate directly about dates: 20 Grande Rue, 51500 Trois-Puits (the place name "Three Wells" is the literal English translation of Trois-Puits).