Lysiane Moncourant

Villevenard lies in the south of the Champagne region, and the home of Lysiane and José Moncourant sits in the Hameau de Voizy. It stands between ponds and woodland on the slope of a hill in the Sézanne wine-growing area. The vineyards are on the slopes of the Petit Morin, above the Marais de Saint-Gond. Strictly speaking, the village therefore belongs to the Sézannais, which borders the Côte des Blancs.

A family estate with a woman grower at its head

The estate has been in the family for generations and was taken over a few years ago by Lysiane Moncourant. The house was built towards the end of the 19th century and came into the family in the 1950s. Lysiane Moncourant works in the vineyard herself. The website says the vines thrive thanks to the care she gives them. The house holds the Viticulture Durable en Champagne (VDC) label. We have not found any figures for vineyard area or the year of foundation.

The cuvées

Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay are grown here. The range is broad for a small estate:

• Meunier: a blanc de noirs
• Brut Tradition
• Brut 100% Chardonnay: a blanc de blancs
• Brut Rosé: a rosé d'assemblage
• Brut Vieilles Vignes and Brut Prestige: both from the 2016 vintage, according to the directory

The estate describes its champagne as generous, with floral and fruity aromas and a fine mousse.

Visiting and staying

Lysiane and José Moncourant are also growers who welcome guests, so visitors can taste their champagnes and stay overnight. From the guest rooms, the view on the valley side looks out over the marshes. On the vineyard side, the woods invite a walk. The information on visiting hours is contradictory. One directory says visits are possible only during the harvest and only by reservation. The Comité Champagne directory, on the other hand, gives daily opening hours from 9:00 to 19:30. We therefore recommend asking by phone or email beforehand.