Stephane Herbert

Rilly-la-Montagne is a premier cru village on the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims. This is where Stéphane Herbert runs his house. The family counts itself as the fourth generation of growers in Champagne. He has farmed his vineyard since 1996 and has sold his champagnes since 2000. The house was founded by Stéphane and his wife Virginie. Today their son Hugo also works in the business. The small family estate, which began around a hundred years ago, has been enlarged by Stéphane.

Vines and working methods

The vineyard covers 4.5 hectares between Rilly-la-Montagne and Nogent-l'Abbesse. From it come around 30,000 bottles a year. The varieties planted are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. The Herberts rely on vinification and ageing in oak barrels, where the wines rest for ten months. On Facebook the house describes itself as "Conversion agriculture biologique", so it is in the process of converting to organic farming. The first organic champagnes are due to be available from 2025.

The cuvées

The range is broad and runs from the classic to the specialist:

• Brut Tradition: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier.
• Excellence: pure Chardonnay, aged in oak barrels.
• Véronèse: half Chardonnay, half Pinot Noir, vinified entirely in barrique and made from reserve wines.
• Single-variety cuvées: an Extra Brut from pure Pinot, a Soléra Extra Brut drawn from 16 vintages, and a cuvée of pure Meunier from the 2018 vintage.
• Vintage champagnes: Millésime Blanc de Blancs 2015 and Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut 2014.

There is also a Rosé de Saignée and "Les Sens des Coteaux", a trilogy of Coteaux Champenois in white, rosé and red. A Ratafia Champenois rounds off the range.

Visiting and tasting

Tastings and sales take place directly at the estate. The address is 11 Rue Roger Salengro in Rilly-la-Montagne. Directories list visits by appointment, so a quick call ahead on +33 3 26 03 49 93 is advisable. There is also an online shop.