Nowack

Origins and family

The Nowack family has been settled in Vandières, in the heart of the Marne Valley, since 1795. One source names Jean-Baptiste Nowack from Bohemia as the founder of the line. Until 1915 the family were first and foremost roof tile makers. According to Caroline Henry, Ferdinand Nowack decided at the outbreak of the war to make his own champagne in order to provide for his family. In the 1960s his son Bernard expanded the estate. Today Frédéric and Flavien Nowack run the house, each with champagnes of his own.

Vineyards and approach

The estate comprises 10 hectares of vines, of which 7 hectares lie in and around Vandières and Châtillon-sur-Marne. Other sources give different figures, with the stated area varying between 3.6 and 10 hectares. The main grape is Pinot Meunier, alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Flavien Nowack studied viticulture in Avize. Meeting Guillaume Selosse inspired him to take a more natural approach. In 2012 he applied these methods in La Fontinette, one of the oldest Nowack plots. In the vineyard he uses only copper, sulphur, fermented plants and herbal teas. The grapes are picked fully ripe, and the must ferments with native yeasts. The remaining parcels are being converted step by step.

The champagnes

The cuvée S.A. is made from 60 per cent Meunier and 40 per cent Chardonnay. The 2022 base contains 10 per cent réserve perpétuelle from the vintages 2012 to 2021. Fermentation runs spontaneously in stainless steel and oak barrels, after which the wine rests for 24 months on the lees, with no dosage.

• Les Bauchets: 100 per cent Pinot Noir from Vandières, Extra Brut
• Les Terres Bleues: 100 per cent Meunier from the upper slope at 180 metres
• Further single-parcel cuvées are La Tuilerie, La Fontinette and Arpent Rouge.

Visiting

The estate receives visitors by appointment only, at 10 Rue Bailly in Vandières. On offer are a visit to the press house with an introduction to the estate, and a cellar visit with an introduction to dégorgement. You can reach the house by phone on +33 3 26 58 02 69.