Leroy Damien

Champagne Leroy is a family-run estate in Villers-aux-Nœuds, a premier cru village on the Montagne de Reims. Three generations of growers have followed one another there since 1961: the founder Jean, his son Jean-Louis, and today Damien and Florence Leroy. The business is registered as SCEAV Champagne Leroy Damien, with Damien Leroy as its legal representative.

The vineyards and the cellar

The estate farms 4 hectares, all classified premier cru. The village belongs to the Montagne de Reims, in the Vesle and Ardre terroir. The soil in Villers-aux-Nœuds is classically chalky and gives Chardonnay and Meunier a great deal of minerality.

The estate is housed in a former abbey dating from 1831. It has a caveau for receiving customers and a cellar where the cuvées mature slowly. According to the estate, the work is artisanal: the thick chalk walls take the place of air conditioning, and riddling and disgorging are still done by hand.

The cuvées

The range is broad and goes beyond the classic styles. It includes a Brut, a Réserve, a rosé d'assemblage, the Blanc de Blancs and the Cuvée L'Ambition, also a blanc de blancs. There is also L'Authentique with no dosage (nature) and a vintage champagne. An older description also mentions a blanc de blancs vinified in oak barrels. The 2009 vintage was made up of 70 per cent Chardonnay and 30 per cent Pinot Noir. For which cuvées are currently available, ask the grower directly.

Visiting and ordering

Tastings and direct sales take place at the estate, and you can arrange an appointment via the contact page. The estate also offers online sales and delivery within France. You can reach it at 4 Rue de Reims, 51500 Villers-aux-Nœuds, or by telephone on +33 3 26 36 27 68.