Yveline Prat

The story of the house begins in 1975 in Vert-Toulon, in the Marne département. Yveline and Alain Prat both came from winegrowing families and wanted to become independent and make their own champagne. They started with one rented hectare in the Marne Valley and gradually acquired further parcels. In 1987 they became Récoltants-Manipulants, with their own stainless steel tanks and their first press of their own. In 2002 the Georges de la Chapelle range was added, made from the best grapes of the harvest.

Family and vineyards

Today the second generation runs the estate. Aurélia and Alexandre Prat farm 41 parcels planted with the three champagne grape varieties, plus a few vines of Petit Meslier in the Côte des Bar, and produce a good 100,000 bottles. According to Gault&Millau, the vineyard area is 16 hectares in 10 villages, spread across the Coteaux du Sézannais and du Petit Morin, the Côte des Bar and the Vallée de la Marne. Older sources give smaller figures of 12 to 13 hectares, so the estate has evidently grown. Chardonnay grows around Congy and in the Sézannais, Meunier in the Marne Valley and Pinot Noir in the Côte des Bar. Vert-Toulon belongs to the Coteaux du Sézannais and du Petit Morin, on the edge of the Côte des Blancs. The vineyards are HVE-certified.

“The story of the house begins in 1975 in Vert-Toulon, in the Marne département.

Cellar and cuvées

The cellar works with stainless steel tanks, but also with oak barrels for more traditional methods. There are two ranges: Yveline Prat stands for the classic, fresh and fruity champagnes, Georges de la Chapelle for the exclusive line of fine, well-balanced wines. The range includes, among others, Brut Tradition, Rosé, Cuvée Sélection Blanc de Blancs, a vintage champagne and a Réserve aged in oak barrels. Gault&Millau rates Alyvea at 91 out of 100 points and the barrel-aged champagne at 90 out of 100.

Champagner Region

Visit and tasting

The house welcomes guests in the village, 10 minutes from Vertus and 25 minutes from Épernay and Châlons-en-Champagne. The growers offer a free tasting and a cellar tour, and you can buy the champagnes at the estate shop at the grower's price. The Châlons tourist office quotes 10 euros for the guided tour with tasting, while the tasting alone is free. The estate is open Monday to Saturday from 9 to 12 and from 1.30 to 5.30 pm. A tour in German is also possible by appointment.