Waris-Hubert

Waris-Hubert is based in Avize, a grand cru village in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. The house grew out of two winegrowing families. On the Waris side, the story begins in the 19th century with Armand. Stéphanie Hubert brought in her grandmother's vines in Grauves, which her parents had until then delivered to the cooperative. Stéphanie and Olivier Waris, both from the fourth generation of growing families in Avize, married in 1997.

From a small start to an 18-hectare estate

The couple began with 90 ares. They bottled their first tirage in 1998. The first bottles were sold in 2001, the same year they built their press house and cellar. Today they farm 18 hectares as récoltants-manipulants, certified organic since 2023. Older sources, and the text on the house's own website, still give 11 to 13 hectares, so the estate has clearly grown.

The vines are mainly in the grands crus of Avize, Cramant, Chouilly and Oger in the Côte des Blancs, as well as Aÿ in the Montagne de Reims. Added to these are the premiers crus of Grauves and Bisseuil, along with Barbonne-Fayel in the Côte de Sézanne and Merrey-sur-Arce in the Côte des Bar. Chardonnay is the focus, with some Pinot Noir alongside.

Approach and cuvées

In the cellar, origin is kept separate from an early stage. The press house and winery are set up so that villages and parcels stay apart from the press onwards. They have tanks of 25 to 44 hectolitres as well as barrels of 225 and 600 litres. The growers favour single-variety cuvées and low dosages.

• Lilyale: Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, zero dosage
• Albescent: Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, 100% Chardonnay
• Sophos: Grand Cru from Avize, aged two years in barrel
• Annexä: vintage Grand Cru from Pinot Noir grown in the village of Aÿ
• Armorial: Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Noir
• Succulente: Rosé

Visiting

According to the house, there is a tasting cellar and a terrace. The estate is at 14 Rue d'Oger in Avize. Please book before you visit. Contact details are on the house's website.