Roger Brun

Family and origins

The house of Roger Brun is based on the Rue Saint-Vincent in Aÿ. Aÿ is the only town in the Vallée de la Marne with grand cru status. Several sources name Léon Brun as the founder of the family business. He began in 1921, after learning how to make champagne at Moët & Chandon. This was in the years of the phylloxera crisis. The family later grew to as many as 120 members. Three labels came out of it: Edouard Brun, René Brun and Roger Brun.

Today the house is run by Philippe Brun, Roger's son. He is a mechanical and production engineer and previously ran a large textile group. In 1999 he returned to the family business.

Vineyards and wines

Figures for the vineyard area vary depending on the source. One gives 6.9 hectares in the Vallée de la Marne and on the Coteaux Sud d'Épernay. Another speaks of 11 hectares. The focus is on Pinot Noir from outstanding sites, a large share of it classified grand cru in Aÿ. The best plots lie on sunny south-facing slopes above the Gothic church of St. Brice. The finest wines mature in old wooden casks, so that the wood does not mask them. Philippe Brun believes in Pinot Noir and in champagnes with enough power to stand up to food.

• Aÿ La Pelle: The top cuvée, a single-vineyard champagne from 100% grand cru Pinot Noir, vinified in old oak barrels.
• Grand Cru Brut Aÿ: Aged in stainless steel tanks with malolactic fermentation. One third of the blend consists of reserve wines from a solera system started in 1982.
• Romance Rosé de Saignée: 100% Pinot Noir from Mareuil and Mutigny, made by the saignée method with skin contact.
• Réserve Familiale Œnothèque: Made exclusively from the terroirs of Aÿ and Avize.
• Brut Grande Réserve: The house's biggest-production wine.

Visiting and tasting

One visitor tasted with Philippe Brun himself in 2019. She describes him as a character who does not hold back his opinions. Philippe and his wife Sophie also run a bed and breakfast in Aÿ, Le Logis des Pressureurs. If you would like to visit the house, it is best to enquire in advance via the website.