Olivier Père & Fils

In Trélou-sur-Marne, on the right bank of the Marne near Dormans, the Olivier family has lived for more than 100 years. The estate has seen four generations, and the vineyards lie only a stone's throw from the house.

Four generations on the Marne

Jules Olivier planted one and a half hectares of vines in 1910. His son Jean expanded the estate. Jean-Claude launched the Olivier Père et Fils brand in 1968. In 1999 his sons Bertrand, who looks after the cellar, and Julien took over. Later Zoé, Bertrand's daughter, joined them. The house is a member of the Vignerons Indépendants de France. The estate is certified as an Exploitation de haute valeur environnementale.

Vines and style

The vineyard area is given differently depending on the source: ten hectares in a newspaper report, and today 12 hectares in the Hachette wine guide. The house owns around twenty plots on slopes that face perfectly south. The clay-limestone soil suits all three principal grape varieties of Champagne: Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. All the champagnes are mono-cru, meaning they are made from grapes of a single village only. Pinot Meunier in particular finds ideal conditions on the sunny slopes for full ripeness and a fruity character.

In the cellar the family aims for richness and softness: the champagnes age on the lees for longer than at many other producers. The house also always carries out malolactic fermentation.

Cuvées, visits and tasting

According to Gault&Millau, the range includes Tradition, Grande Réserve, Rosé, Aparté and vintage champagnes. The 2015 vintage received 92 out of 100 points there. The Vignerons Indépendants list medals for the estate for a white champagne and for the Rosé.

Visitors are welcome: the estate is open Monday to Friday from 9 to 12 and from 1.30 to 5.30 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 to 12. Guided tours are available on request. A visit with tasting starts from 6 euros. A call in advance is worthwhile: +33 3 23 70 25 96.