Schreiber

Erick Schreiber works in the far south of Champagne, in the Barséquais in the Seine valley. The house in Courteron lies around 45 kilometres from Troyes. Schreiber studied viticulture and oenology in Avize from 1975 to 1979 and planted his vineyard in 1980. Other sources give 1987 as the start, and the accounts differ here.

Biodynamics since 1990

Schreiber is regarded as a pioneer of biodynamic champagne production. The vineyard has been farmed without chemical-synthetic fertiliser and without weedkiller since 1988. The year 1998 given in the text on the website is therefore a transposition of digits. Certification began in 1990, and the first certified organic harvest followed in 1993. By 1992 the entire estate had been converted to biodynamics. All 6.5 hectares are Demeter-certified. In 2008 megaliths were set up in some parcels, in keeping with the anthroposophical ideas behind biodynamics.

Sites and grape varieties

The 6.5 hectares are spread across both banks of the Seine, between Courteron and Gyé-sur-Seine. The soils are chalky clay. Pinot Noir accounts for 70 per cent, with Chardonnay (17 per cent), Pinot Blanc (6), Meunier (4.5) and Pinot Gris (2.5) making up the rest. The rare varieties Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are something of a speciality of the house. Organic production comes to around 30,000 bottles a year.

Cuvées and visiting

The range runs from Initial and Essentiel through Fleur de Lune to Terre d'origine, Astral and the experimental cuvée M.K. 157. Initial Brut contains 19.5 per cent wine from the réserve perpétuelle, ages for six years in the cellar, with 9 per cent of it in oak barrels. Astral was Schreiber's first champagne made without added sulphur. It ages for ten years in the cellar until dégorgement. The Coteaux Champenois «Le Côteau» is a still wine made from five grape varieties.

Visitors will find the estate at 4 Grande Rue in Courteron. It can be reached by telephone on +33 3 25 38 22 95. It is advisable to book before your visit.