THE WINE QUALITY THROUGH TIME
As famous as it is secretive, champagne symbolises festivity and lightness the world over, even though it is the fruit of humble and slow work.
We are an authentic Champagne house that prioritises the quality of our wines by taking our time. The time needed to produce quality wines.
Everyday after the harvest, we strive to make wines that reflect our character, using the only three grapes varieties traditionally used in Champagne, defined by the “Controlled Appellation of Origin”, from grapes grown on our own plots.
In the same way that we take the time to look after the vines and press the grapes to obtain optimum juice, we take the time to ensure that everything we do gives rise to quality cuvées that are as exclusive as they are appreciated.
The “time” available to our champagne is an essential component in the development of their aromatic complexity. We still take the time to allow our wines to mature in the cool darkness of our cellars, dug deep into the chalk by Maurice Lepitre in 1905. These chalk pits are a natural showcase for the maturation of our wines.
Taking the time to ensure quality is our main concern.
WINEMAKERS FROM MOTHERS TO DAUGHTERS
It was in 1905, during the « Belle Epoque”, a period in French history characterised by progress and carefree living, that my great-grand father Maurice Lepitre, a young winegrower, decided to found his own champagne house.
In the heart of the Champagne vineyards, he was one of the pioneers who succeeded in producing this marvellous nectar, a symbol of happiness and bliss…
Subsequently, several generations of women passed on the family tradition of our human-scale champagne house, always with the quest for the very best in mind. Hélène took over from Maurice, Marguerite succeeded her and then Corine.
This champagne reflects years of expertise and passion for the vines, our terroir and the making of Champagne wines. We are working to preserve and develop our heritage, which we will pass on to future generations in the best possible way.
We make our champagne independently: we are independent champagne growers.
Our vines are all located in Premier Cru terroir at the foot of the Montagne de Reims, in Rilly-la-Montagne, on land that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s thanks to our land of excellence, a natural setting for producing champagne, and to the ancestral know-how of our house, that we are proud to invite you on a journey.
A sensory journey through a range of pleasures that will awaken all your senses.
To perpetuate the expertise of these three deserving women, I have decided to take over the running of the family estate with my own philosophy, while remaining uncompromising about the quality of our wines.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
For the last 15 years, we are voluntarily committed to protecting the biodiversity of the Champagne region and its own ecosystem.
Along the edges of certain plots, we have planted hedges to increase the diversity of fauna and enhance the resilience of the biotope of the plot. This is essential for maintaining the evolutionary processes of the living world in order to provide shelter for the micro-organisms that will naturally combat vine pests.
We use natural, (non-chemical) natural fertilisers (organo-mineral nitrogen) to activate mineralisation of organic matter, stimulate biological activity and improve soil-plant exchanges.
Fungicides are used as little as possible, giving preference to natural substances (like sulphur, copper)
We limit the herbicides for 15 years: we do the weeding mechanically.
We never use insecticides : we prefer use the mating disruption (RAK) .
Water is used sparingly and reused where possible.
We have obtained environmental certification: “High Environmental Value Level 3” and “Viticulture Durable en Champagne”.
Every day, we preserve and enhance this heritage with the aim of passing it on to future generations.
OUR EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNES
These are champagnes of character in the image of the Lepitre women: precision and refinement.
Starting with the unique monoterroir of Rilly-la-Montagne, each “Extra Brut” cuvée is authentic, singular and has its own identity.
Our work was to give them a long maturation on lies (3-6 years) in our own dark chalky cellars.
Then we have chosen an “extra brut” dosage (between 3 and 6 g/L of sugar) for these three cuvées. The low quantity of added sugar allows the champagne to express all of the aromas created during the long maturation.
Each one will reveal their complexity when tasted, especially as an aperitif when the palate is
still virgin! These “extra brut” cuvées are perfect for sharing a special moment of convivial tasting with friends and family.
Cuvée LAZULI
As a tribute to our « ancient » sea, this pearl of flavour is a perfect blend of the three great Champagne grape varieties from our own unique Rilly-la-Montagne terroir. A balanced wine: round and fresh with a beautiful long length in the mouth.
Its minerality and its tiny bubbles reflect the essence of the best champagne villages and give it great finesse.
60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Meuniers – Extra brut 5g/L
Cuvée ALBA
The emblematic cuvée of our house, this Blanc de Blancs embodies purity and elegance, with a freshness that lingers on the palate. “Alba” is made exclusively from our oldest Chardonnay vines grown on our Pinot Noir terroir: these vines are 74 years-old, they are the oldest that we own.
This is a very subtle champagne, perfect for accompanying prestigious dishes, where it will prove to be exquisitely refined!
100% Chardonnay – Extra brut 4g/L
Cuvée AMOUR
The intense and bright color of this rosé is due to the secret of its production: a perfect balance of tones and flavours, created by blending our own Pinots Noirs and Meuniers with a small proportion of still red wine from Champagne.
The ultimate indulgence!
40% Pinot Noir, 40% Meuniers, 20% of AOV Champagne red wine –
Extra brut 5g/L
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à propos
It all began in 1905… Three generations of women winemakers, each with their own sensibility.
To pay tribute to them, and thanks to the transmission of their ancestral know-how, I’m offering you three cuvées, all measured in ‘Extra Brut’, each with its own characteristics, and all from the 1er Cru terroir of Rilly-la-Montagne.
Adeline, 4th generation winemaker.
