Serge Mathieu

Avirey-Lingey has around 200 inhabitants and lies in the Aube département on the Sarce, close to the Côte d'Or. This is where the Mathieu family runs its estate. All of the house's vines stand within the commune of Avirey-Lingey. The reception sits right at the edge of the vineyards.

Seven generations, a brand of their own since 1970

The first written records of Emile Mathieu, a winegrower in Avirey, date from 1685. Seven generations ran the estate, and every one of them sold their grapes to the trade. In 1958 Serge Mathieu took over the estate together with his father France, and in 1970 he bottled his first wines. At first it was a modest 5,000 bottles a year.

In 1987 his daughter Isabelle joined after studying modern languages. She won customers in France, Germany and Britain. In 1996 she married Michel Jacob, a winegrower from the neighbouring village of Merrey-sur-Arce. He joined the estate in 1998 and took charge of the vineyard. Isabelle and Michel now look after vineyard, cellar, sales and administration.

“In 1958 Serge Mathieu took over the estate together with his father France, and in 1970 he bottled his first wines.

Sites, grape varieties and way of working

The estate farms 11 hectares. The vines are 23 years old on average and are 80 per cent Pinot Noir and 20 per cent Chardonnay. The main site, La Bressoire, adjoins the estate. It covers three hectares in a single block, lies on a steep south-south-east-facing slope and is planted exclusively with Pinot Noir. A second group of fifteen parcels lies on the slope of Bagneux, where both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown.

Michel Jacob led the move to sustainable viticulture. After some 20 years of experimenting, the house, by its own account, received organic certification. Older sources still describe an approach close to organic farming but without certification. Reserve wines play an important part: some cuvées combine three or more vintages in the tank.

Champagne

The champagnes and visiting

The range includes the Select Tête de Cuvée, the Cuvée Prestige, the Rosé, the Extra Brut Pur Pinot as a blanc de noirs, and a vintage champagne. The style is considered unfussy, with a focus on elegance and expressive fruit. Tastings and sales take place right at the estate. According to Petit Futé, it is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 noon, by appointment only. Book on +33 (0)3 25 29 32 58 or by email at information@champagne-serge-mathieu.fr. Check the opening times beforehand, as they may have changed.