Maurice Grumier

Four generations in Venteuil

The Grumier family has grown vines in Venteuil since 1743. In 1928, Amand Grumier made his own champagne there. His son Maurice carried on the work after returning from the war. The Maurice Grumier label first appeared in 1945, and the name is still the house brand today. Maurice died in 1968, after which his son Guy took over the business. Guy planted the first white grape varieties, invested in modern equipment and expanded the estate from 2 to 6 hectares. Fabien Grumier joined in 1999. He and his wife Hélène have run the estate since 2006.

Sites, grape varieties and way of working

Depending on the source, the vineyard area is around 8 to about 9 hectares, spread over seven crus on both sides of the Marne. There are 4.5 hectares each on the right bank (Venteuil, Damery, Reuil) and the left bank (Festigny, Dormans). Meunier dominates: 55% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. In Venteuil itself there are four hectares, planted half to Chardonnay and half to Pinot Noir.

In 2014 the estate was among the early champagne producers to gain Haute Valeur Environnementale certification. In the cellar, the plots are vinified separately, in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, with malolactic fermentation kept as limited as possible. A solera system was introduced in 2004, with one third each of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Cuvées, visits and tasting

The range includes, among others:

• Réserve Perpétuelle: a non-vintage brut combining the three grape varieties in equal parts
• Solera Extra Brut
• Les Plates Pierres: a single-site cuvée from Venteuil, produced only as a vintage champagne
• Cuvée Amand: a brut aged in oak barrels
• Ô ma Vallée as a blanc de noirs, and the Blanc de Venteuil as a pure blanc de blancs

Visits are possible by appointment, including group receptions of up to 60 people. The house is at 13 Route d'Arty in Venteuil.