Fleury

The History of Champagne Fleury

Domaine Fleury, founded in 1895 in Courteron in the heart of the Côte des Bar, is synonymous with innovation in Champagne viticulture. The Fleury family stood out from the outset thanks to Emile Fleury, the first to replant grafted Pinot Noir vines after the phylloxera crisis in the early 20th century. His son Robert Fleury also made history by becoming one of the first “récoltants-manipulants” in 1929, a bold move during the Great Depression.

The family’s innovative spirit did not stop there. In 1970, Jean-Pierre Fleury, passionate about astronomy and aware of the damage caused by pesticides, decided to convert part of the vineyard to organic farming. In 1989, he went a step further by introducing biodynamics, a first in Champagne. This radical, forward-looking choice helped establish Domaine Fleury as a benchmark for natural Champagne.

Today, the fourth generation, led by Jean-Sébastien Fleury, carries on this tradition of innovation while respecting nature and Champagne’s terroir. Each member of the Fleury family brings a personal touch: Benoît, one of the sons, tends the vines and develops agroforestry, while Morgane Fleury, who owns a natural wine bar in Paris, promotes Fleury Champagnes in the capital’s fashionable venues.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Champagne Fleury

Champagne Fleury’s terroir lies in the Côte des Bar, in the south of the Aube, on clay-limestone slopes formed during the Kimmeridgian period 150 million years ago. This distinctive terroir is ideal for growing vines, particularly Pinot Noir, which accounts for 85% of the estate’s 15 hectares. The rest is planted with Chardonnay (10%) and other Champagne grape varieties, including Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris, the latter replanted in 2010.

Domaine Fleury regards its vineyards as a living ecosystem. Through the use of biodynamic preparations, the vines grow in harmony with their surroundings. In some plots, the soil is worked by hand or with horses to encourage the vines to develop naturally and in balance. This care for the soil and plants ensures the production of high-quality grapes with characteristics unique to each plot.

Winemaking at Champagne Fleury

The winemaking process at Champagne Fleury reflects the family’s commitment to viticulture that respects nature. In 1997, the house reintroduced fermentation in oak, using barrels for wines from the estate’s oldest vines, aged 30 to 45 years. The oak-cask cellar, built in 2007 under Jean-Sébastien’s direction, exemplifies the estate’s traditional, artisanal approach.

Fermentation proceeds slowly on the lees until the spring after harvest. The family then blends the wines through careful tastings to create harmonious cuvées that reflect the terroir. The estate also uses innovative techniques such as the “reverse solera,” in which a portion of the reserve wines is added to each new harvest’s blends.

One of Domaine Fleury’s major innovations is its sulfur-free cuvée, “Sonate,” launched in 2009. This Champagne made without added sulfites showcases the purity and finesse of the wine’s natural aromas—a genuine technical achievement in Champagne.

The cuvées of Champagne Fleury

Champagne Fleury offers a diverse range of cuvées, all made in accordance with biodynamic principles:

Blanc de Noirs Brut: Created in 1955, this signature cuvée is made entirely from Pinot Noir and aged for 4 years. It stands out for its white-peach notes and structured elegance.  

Fleur de l’Europe Brut Nature: The estate’s first biodynamic cuvée, this blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has no dosage, yielding a fresh, finely defined champagne.

Rosé de Saignée Brut: Made using the traditional saignée method, this 100% Pinot Noir rosé offers an enticing bouquet of red berries and is exceptionally easy to drink.

Cépages Blancs Extra Brut: This 100% Chardonnay reveals aromas of dried fruit and white flowers, with an elegant structure and lovely vibrancy on the palate.

Notes Blanches Brut Nature: A rare, distinctive single-varietal Pinot Blanc offering generous aromas of yellow fruit and spice.

Robert Fleury Extra Brut: A tribute cuvée to Jean-Sébastien’s grandfather, blending Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, with complex aromas of ginger, quince and toasted walnut.

Boléro Extra Brut: A vintage wine made entirely from Pinot Noir grown in the estate’s oldest plots, with notes of raisins, toasted almonds and warm bread.

Sonate Extra Brut: Made without added sulfur, this cuvée expresses the full richness of Pinot Noir, with notes of apples and candied citrus.

Variation Brut Nature: A very rare 100% Pinot Gris from Champagne, with powerful exotic-fruit aromas and a lingering finish.

Millésime Extra Brut: Made from 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, this vintage wine offers aromas of honey and roasted notes, along with lovely minerality.

Coteaux Champenois Blanc: This still wine is made entirely from Pinot Blanc, with half vinified in jars and half in oak barrels. The cuvée reveals notes of flint and citrus, with a precise, zesty palate.

Coteaux Champenois Rouge: A still red wine made from ripe Pinot Noir. Its bright ruby color and red-fruit bouquet make it a rich, generous pleasure to drink.

Coteaux Champenois Rosé: The estate’s latest innovation, this still rosé combines three vintages for a lively, fresh palate and enticing aromas of raspberries and wild berries.

For collectors and lovers of vintage Champagne, certain years stand out at Champagne Fleury: 2002, 2004, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2018…

If you enjoy Champagne Fleury, you may also be interested in other grower Champagnes, such as those from Egly Ouriet, Larmandier Bernier, Agrapart, Laherte, Dehours, Ruppert Leroy, Françoise Bedel, R. Pouillon, Eric Rodez, Chartogne Taillet, Selosse, Jacques Lassaigne and Benoit Marguet, as well as our vintage Champagnes and terroir Champagnes....

Champagne Fleury is a pioneering, iconic estate that combines respect for nature, family tradition and innovation in its vineyard and winemaking practices. By embracing biodynamics and striving to bring out the best in every vintage, the Fleury house produces Champagnes that are both authentic and unique. Whether you enjoy natural wines or are simply seeking exceptional Champagnes, the cuvées of Champagne Fleury invite you to explore and savor.