Marcel Richard

The champagne house Marcel Richard is in Moussy, on the slopes south of Épernay, among vines and fields along the Route touristique du Champagne. The estate is called Ferme de la Loge and is both a farm and a wine estate. The address is La Loge Turbanne, right on the D10.

One family, several generations

Robert Richard planted the vineyard. His son Marcel gradually replanted further parcels within the appellation and so enlarged the vineyard area. Marcel's children Claude and Pascale carried this work on and expanded the sale of champagne. How many generations that now makes is stated differently: Épernay Tourisme speaks of seven generations, another tourism site of the eighth, which is working the estate today. Your hosts are Nicole, Claude and their family.

Vines and cellar

The estate farms 2 hectares, planted 30% to Chardonnay and 70% to Pinot Meunier. That suits Moussy, where, according to an overview of the village, Meunier is the most important grape variety. According to the portal vin-vigne.com, the estate works in the spirit of viticulture raisonnée, with hand harvesting and a traditional wooden champagne press holding 4,000 kg. Depending on the cuvée and vintage, the musts are vinified directly in oak barrels.

The range includes a Rosé, Cuvée Prestige, Tradition Brut, Cuvée Fût de Chêne and Tradition Demi-Sec. Added to these is the Cuvée Spéciale Millésimée. According to the tourist office, the Tradition Brut is the foundation of the range.

Visit and tasting

By the house's own account, you can visit the wine cellar and the workshop for storage and ageing. This includes a small museum of old working tools. Tasting and an introduction to wine tasting are available on request. A walk through the vineyard is also possible. During the tourist season, champagne can be paired with aperitif platters. The tourist office gives opening hours of 10 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 5 pm, and groups of up to 25 people are welcome. If you would like to stay longer: the farm has guest rooms in the farmhouse and in the converted stable.