Roger Manceaux

The champagne house Roger Manceaux is based in Rilly-la-Montagne on the Montagne de Reims. It works as a Récoltant Manipulant, so its champagnes are made from the family's own grapes. The address is 5 to 7 Rue de la Liberté.

Family and history

Roger Manceaux, a worker and vigneron, founded his estate in 1947 and brought the first champagnes to market five years later. The family line runs from Edmond through René and Roger to Patrick and his children. The family also made barrels in the past. Today the siblings Agnès and Patrick Manceaux run the estate. Claire, Alexis and Julien work alongside Patrick.

Sites, vines and way of working

The vineyard covers 12.6 hectares on the Montagne de Reims, so the figure of almost 13 hectares on the website is roughly right. Other sources give around 12 hectares. The vines are spread across five classified villages: Mailly as grand cru, and Rilly-la-Montagne, Taissy, Villers-Allerand and Trois-Puits as premier cru. There are around 80 parcels with different exposures. All three Champagne grape varieties are grown, with an emphasis on pinot noir.

Since 2016 the estate has been certified Haute Valeur Environnementale. It describes its champagne as a wine that respects tradition and biodiversity through sensible, reasoned viticulture. Wood is often used in vinification.

The cuvées

• Prestige: a blanc de noirs made from 100% meunier and a blanc de blancs made from 100% chardonnay, both extra brut and premier cru
• Collection: a millésime 2019 (brut, premier cru) and L'Expression (extra brut, grand cru)
• Grande Réserve Brut: the favourite champagne of the two growers

Visit and tasting

The family offers a cellar tour, from growing the vines through the harvest to bottling and marketing. A tasting follows. The tour lasts 75 minutes on average, and groups are welcome. Prices start at 20 euros per person. Booking in advance is advisable. Guest rooms with a spa are also part of what the estate offers.