Vadin-Plateau

A family since 1785

Vadin-Plateau is a family-run estate in Cumières, a premier cru village in the Vallée de la Marne, just a few minutes from Épernay. The story begins in 1785 with Joseph Plateau, who founded the Maison Plateau. The house has carried its present name since 1958, when Yvette Plateau and Guy Vadin married. Today Yann Vadin represents the ninth generation. The house works as a Récoltant-Manipulant: it makes its champagne from grapes grown in its own vineyards and sells it itself.

Vines and way of working

The family farms around 7 hectares, spread across several villages. These include Cumières, Aÿ, Hautvillers, Damery and Champillon, plus a grand cru vineyard in Avize. According to the Vignerons Indépendants, the grape varieties break down as 44% Pinot Meunier, 39% Pinot Noir and 17% Chardonnay. The Meunier vines from Cumières shape the character of the house.

In the vineyard the house works along ecological lines. It received the HVE label in 2016, and since February 2017 Ecocert certification has been under way for 5 hectares. The house describes its work as organic and biodynamic. Gault&Millau notes that the estate works the soil and does without herbicides. In the cellar, dosages are low. The Cuvée Renaissance ferments with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and ages for two years on the lees.

Cuvées and visiting

Alongside the two core cuvées, there are single-variety champagnes from individual plots:

• Renaissance: Premier Cru Extra Brut, 100% Pinot Meunier from Cumières
• Intuition: Extra Brut from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
• Chêne la Butte: Blanc de Blancs, Brut Nature
• Bois des Jots: 100% Pinot Noir from Cumières
• Symbiose: Extra Brut Rosé, made with red wine from Cumières

Gault&Millau rated Les Oubliés 94 out of 100 points.

Visitors will see tanks, a traditional round press and cellars dug into the hillside. The tasting ends with a sabrage demonstration. Tours are possible by appointment, for groups of up to 120 people. The house also offers trips on the Marne aboard the Bateau Champagne Vallée. Address: 12, Rue de la Coopérative, 51480 Cumières.