Champagne Antoine Chevalier

Antoine Chevalier owns 2,5 hectares in the area of Vitryat with primary holdings in Vitry-en-Perthois, Couvrot and Val-de-Vière which he farms biodynamic and vinifies with the utmost respect for nature’s own work. We have had the privilege following Antoine Chevalier from the release of his first vintage.

The terroir of Vitryat

When driving from the known areas in the north towards Vitryat you suddenly find yourself in completely flat land. Endless fields of wheat and other products dominate as far as it is possible to see. Then suddenly out of nowhere the hills of Vitryat rises with ridges back-to-back facing south.

These côtes are made of an older type of chalk. The Turonian chalk which is also known as tuffeau in the wineworld. Here Chardonnay is as dominant as in the east-facing slopes of Côte des Blancs. The warmer orientation gives the wines more body, and a more mature fruit character, and the minerality is less sharp on the pallet.

In the vineyard

From the beginning Antoine has been focused on sustainability. He took over the reins in 2014 and immediately quitted the use of herbicides. He currently works biodynamic and helps out others in Vitryat with converting their vines to the principles. This includes working the soil, respecting the lunar calendar, and using biodynamic preparations. The domain has been certified organic by ecocert since 2020 and biodynamic with demeter since 2021.

In the cellar

In the cellar all vineyards are vinified separately in a mixture of small containers. The first vintages were oak casks but Antoine is currently experimenting with eggs and spheres in concrete.

Not much is done in the cellar: no filtration or fining. Antoine used to do a pied de cuve but in the future he will let each container start its own fermentation – the quality of the grapes is so high that there is no need to help start the fermentation.

The wines of Antoine

All Antoine’s wines are from a single vineyard. It varies which vineyards he produces from year to year, selling the rest of the grapes to (a very lucky) co-op. The wines are always vintage champagnes reflecting a single year’s cycle utilizing Chardonnay only.

The wines are powerful and complex; by careful vineyard management and a hands-off approach in the cellar the wines let through the terroir of Vitryat.
Antoine produces a very limited amount of wines each year.