Pierre Legras

Pierre Legras was born in Chouilly in 1662, and with him the family's winegrowing tradition began. Eleven generations have followed since, from Pierre to Vincent as the eleventh in line. So the estate does not settle for "more than ten generations": the family chronicle expressly counts Vincent Legras as the eleventh generation. After training at the viticultural school in Avize and qualifying as an oenologist, he founded the Pierre Legras champagne brand in 2002, as a tribute to his ancestor. In 2011 Marcelline joined him.

Sites and vines

Vincent Legras took over 5 hectares in Chouilly from his father and bought five more: two in Chouilly, three in Épernay, Moussy, Vinay and Boursault. Today the estate covers 10 hectares, 7 of them classified Grand Cru in Chouilly. Gault&Millau even gives 10.5 hectares. The slopes of Chouilly face east and are sheltered from the west wind. Chardonnay forms the backbone of the wines, but Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier play their part too.

Method and cuvées

"Sustainable farming" in general terms can be made more concrete: since 2020 the estate has held Haute Valeur Environnementale certification, level 3. We could not find evidence of organic certification. The wines are aged in small, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and malolactic fermentation is carried out systematically to preserve fruitiness and roundness.

• Coste Beert: a champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay, offered as a Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru from Chouilly. It is made only from the heart of the cuvée and blends parcels and vintages.
• Monographie: partly vinified in oak and completed with reserve wines, with notes of brioche and yellow fruit. It is made as a Brut Nature.
• Other cuvées: Orior, Idée de Voyage and vintage champagnes, such as 2006.

Visit and tasting

The estate is at 28 Rue de Saint Chamand in Chouilly. The visit takes you through the press house, the fermentation room and the cellar, and ends with a tasting of three champagnes. Visitors are welcome from Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. At weekends you need to book. Tours are offered in English and French.