Michel Marcoult

Michel Marcoult is a grower estate in Barbonne-Fayel, a village on the Côte de Sézanne in the south of Champagne. The family domaine was founded in 1967 by Michel Marcoult. The family has lived in Barbonne-Fayel since 1680 and has been growing vines since 1714. Julien Marcoult is the third generation of winemakers. He joined his father in 2004, after training in viticulture and oenology and completing internships in several wine regions. His wife Florence, a trained hotel professional, joined in 2006 and looks after sales and marketing.

Sites, grape varieties and way of working

The estate farms just under 10 hectares. More than half lies in the Sézannais, the rest near Vitry-le-François and in the Côte des Bar in the Aube département. Depending on the source and the date, the figure is given as anywhere between 9 and 12 hectares. The vineyards are planted with 70 per cent Chardonnay and 30 per cent Pinot Noir. The estate is certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) by the French Ministry of Agriculture. It also generates its own electricity on site. Vinification and ageing are traditional, in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and in large wooden foudres. Julien Marcoult came to know barrel ageing in other regions and went on to build a barrique cellar.

“The family has lived in Barbonne-Fayel since 1680 and has been growing vines since 1714.

The cuvées

• B de Barbonne: the village cuvée, 100 per cent Chardonnay from Barbonne-Fayel. Florence Marcoult recommends it as the way in to the house style.
• Héritage: a pure Chardonnay, 80 per cent from Barbonne-Fayel and 20 per cent from Val-de-Vière. It ages for at least 24 months on the lees and has a dosage of 6.5 g/l.
• Les Macrêts: a champagne aged entirely in barrel.
• Roséline: a rosé of 50 per cent Chardonnay and 50 per cent Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir comes from the estate's own red Coteaux Champenois.

There are also single-plot cuvées. The Cuvée Carabins is a pure Pinot Noir, Brut Nature, vinified in acacia barrels.

Visiting and tasting

The family invites visitors to a guided tasting of several cuvées. On the cellar tour they show the journey from pressing to the cellar. The cellar is at 12 Route de Queudes and is open Monday to Saturday. Groups should book in advance. Nearby, the family also rents out two holiday cottages classified as Gîtes de France, with views over the vineyards.