Lelarge Pugeot

A grower family in Vrigny

The Lelarge-Pugeot estate is in Vrigny, a premier cru village in the Petite Montagne de Reims, about ten kilometres from Reims. The champagne organic growers' association lists the family as growers since 1790. The house's own website gives 1799: that was the year Pierre-Henri Lelarge acquired the first parcels by marrying Madeleine Dravigny, daughter of a Vrigny winegrowing family. In the 1930s Raymond Lelarge began bottling champagne under his own label. In 1987 Dominique Lelarge and Dominique Pugeot took over the estate as the seventh generation. Today their children Clémence and Valentin work alongside them, the eighth generation.

Vines, soils and way of working

The estate farms 8.7 hectares, mostly around Vrigny, plus a few parcels in Coulommes-la-Montagne and Gueux. The soils are chalky marl, clay and sand. The plantings are 4.4 hectares of Meunier, 2.8 hectares of Pinot Noir and 1.5 hectares of Chardonnay. Meunier is regarded as the village's traditional variety and shapes the range.

“The champagne organic growers' association lists the family as growers since 1790.

The conversion to organic farming began in August 2010, and the first certified harvest followed in 2013. All 8.7 hectares are now certified, and since 2017 the estate has carried the Demeter label. In the cellar the family intervenes very little: the grapes are pressed gently and fermented with native yeasts, in barrels, foudres or tanks. Sulphur is used only in minimal amounts, and only when needed.

Cuvées, visits and tastings

The range is broad. The champagnes include Tradition (Extra Brut), Les Meuniers de Clémence, Les Charmes de Vrigny, Nature et Non Dosé (no dosage and no added sulphur), Saignée de Meunier, Quintessence and Les Vignes de Gueux. There are also Coteaux Champenois still wines in white, rosé and red, among them a Rouge de Meunier.

Weinberge Champagne

The estate is a member of the Vignerons Indépendants. Visits and tastings are possible, in French and English. According to the champagne trade body, the cellar is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm. One tourism site says Tuesday to Saturday, so it is worth sending a short enquiry beforehand. Groups of up to 50 people are welcome. Address: 30 Rue Saint-Vincent, 51390 Vrigny, telephone +33 3 26 03 69 43.