Loriot Pere Et Fils

Villers-sous-Châtillon is a winegrowing village in the Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park. This is home to Champagne Loriot Père & Fils, a family estate founded in the 1920s by the great-grandfather of the current generation. After the war he planted his first vines and began selling his own champagne under the name Champagne Loriot. Since 2022 the village has belonged to the new commune of Cœur-de-la-Vallée, so the postal address is 15 rue du vignoble, 51700 Cœur-de-la-Vallée.

Four generations, one estate

The founder's son, Norbert Loriot, expanded the estate further. Today it is run by Eric Loriot together with his wife Corinne. On a visit you will also meet Pierre-Etienne and Cassandra, with four generations of experience behind them. Pierre-Etienne Loriot works as a grower on the estate and secures the succession in the fourth generation.

Vines and way of working

Loriot is a récoltant-manipulant: the wines are made from the estate's own grapes, which are pressed on site and vinified in the family's own cellar. The house practises sustainable viticulture (viticulture raisonnée) and sees nature and biodiversity as part of the wealth of the terroir.

“This is home to Champagne Loriot Père & Fils, a family estate founded in the 1920s by the great-grandfather of the current generation.

The vines grow on the slopes of the right bank of the Marne. The village's strengths are said to be its chalky soil, its south-facing exposure and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grow in sites within about five kilometres of the village. The house lists Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Petit Meslier as its grape varieties. We have not found reliable figures for the vineyard area.

The range includes, among others, these cuvées:

• Grande Réserve: one third each of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
• Excellence: a vintage champagne made from 60 per cent Chardonnay (vinified in oak barrels), 20 per cent Pinot Meunier and 20 per cent Pinot Noir.

Visits and tastings

The modern tasting vault offers a view of the cellars. In the reception room, a glass floor reveals a small museum of old champagne tools and the family's wine library. Visitors are welcome Monday to Saturday from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm. Cellar and vineyard visits and tastings are on offer, in French and English. The growers themselves welcome you, and that is exactly the charm of a family estate of this size.