Sylvie Gerard-Maizieres

Sylvie Gérard-Maizières grew up in Trépail, in a family where her father at first did not want a daughter to take over. She bought plots of her own bit by bit, sold grapes and made a little champagne of her own on the side. Later her father handed the family estate over to her. She had first set up on her own as a nursery gardener, because she wanted to be close to nature. A few years later she acquired her first vines.

The estate and its vineyards

The champagne is made under the name Georges Mazières, spelt Georges Maizières in some sources. The estate is run by Sylvie Gérard-Maizières and, according to figures from 2014, farmed 5.5 hectares in Trépail and Bouzy. Trépail lies in the Grande Montagne de Reims and is a premier cru village with around 90 per cent Chardonnay. According to Vivino, the Cuvée de Réserve Brut is blended from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. We have no documented information on ageing, dosage or the other cuvées.

Pré en Bulles: the house with the robot

Alongside her winegrowing, Sylvie Gérard-Maizières built up a visitor centre. The company Pré en Bulles was founded on 5 June 2008, and the site opened its doors on 15 March 2010. Visitors can expect two parts: in the Parcours des Arts de la Vigne, a little robot storyteller called Créabulle tells the story of champagne, from the soil to the bottle's maturation. In the show La Part des Anges, Dom Pérignon is brought back to life. The tour lasts about 60 minutes and is available in German, English, French and Dutch.

“The estate is run by Sylvie Gérard-Maizières and, according to figures from 2014, farmed 5.5 hectares in Trépail and Bouzy.

The house offers more than the show. There is a caveau where you can have a glass of champagne, as well as celebrations and seminars, regional products and temporary exhibitions. There are also five gîtes and three chambres d'hôtes.

Schaumwein aus der Champagne, Champagner Servieren

Visiting and tasting

The most recent figures from the tourist office, for 2022, were 8 euros for the exhibition and an extra 5 euros for the tasting. These prices are probably out of date by now. Before you travel, check opening times and booking requirements at 2, rue du Stade, Trépail. Please note too that Sylvie Gérard-Maizières has been looking for successors for the vineyards and Pré en Bulles for some time. Who runs the house may have changed since then.