Hautvillers

Hautvillers is one of the most beautiful villages in Champagne and is also particularly known for its distinctive wrought-iron signs, which can be found on many facades; furthermore, the Way of St. James passes through the village.

The Abbey of Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers is located on the southwestern edge of the village. It was founded in 650 by Saint Nivard, Archbishop of Reims. The abbey housed a relic of Saint Helena, which was stolen from Rome in 841 by a priest from Reims. This relic attracted many pilgrims, enabling the abbey to purchase vineyards. The abbey buildings were destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout its history.

Although Dom Pierre Pérignon did not, as is often claimed, invent the Champagne method, he is credited with making significant improvements to wine quality during his tenure as cellar master at Hautvillers Abbey. These innovations, in turn, were groundbreaking and played a decisive role in the further development of winemaking in Champagne.

The approximately 284 hectares of vineyards planted in and around Hautvillers consist primarily of mixed plantings of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, with Pinot Noir clearly dominating the vineyard area at 45%, followed by Pinot Meunier at 33% and Chardonnay at 22%.

Almost all of the vineyards are classified as Premier Cru (93%) and are predominantly located on south-facing, sunny slopes with limestone-dominated, loamy soils, which ensure optimal ripening and balanced, well-structured wines with delicate fruit and lively freshness.

In Hautvillers today, we find several vineyards belonging to the major Champagne houses, such as Roederer, Moët & Chandon, and Taittinger, as well as two cooperatives and many independent wineries.

Our producer, Vincent Bliard, comes from a family that ranks among the pioneers of organic viticulture in Champagne, a practice they have been following since the 1960s.