Fleury

The History of Champagne Fleury

The Fleury estate, founded in 1895 in Courteron, in the heart of the Côte des Bar, is synonymous with innovation in Champagne viticulture. The Fleury family distinguished itself from the very beginning thanks to Emile Fleury, the first to replant grafted pinot noirs following the phylloxera crisis at the start of the 20th century. His son, Robert Fleury, also made history by becoming one of the first "récoltants-manipulants" in 1929, a bold step during the era of the Great Depression.

The family's innovative spirit did not stop there. In 1970, Jean-Pierre Fleury, passionate about astronomy and made aware of the damage caused by pesticides, decided to convert part of the vineyard to organic farming. In 1989, he took a further step by introducing biodynamics — a first in Champagne. This radical and visionary choice enabled the Fleury estate to establish itself as a benchmark in the production of natural Champagnes.

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

Terroirs and Vines of Champagne Fleury

The terroir of Champagne Fleury is located in the Côte des Bar, in the south of the Aube, on the clay-limestone slopes formed during the Kimmeridgian period, 150 million years ago. This specific terroir is ideal for vine growing, particularly pinot noir, which accounts for 85% of the estate's 15 hectares. The remainder consists of chardonnay (10%) and other Champagne grape varieties such as pinot blanc, pinot meunier, and pinot gris, the latter having been replanted in 2010.

The Fleury estate regards its vineyards as a living ecosystem. Through the use of biodynamic preparations, the vines are in perfect harmony with their environment. The soil is worked by hand or with horses in certain plots, to encourage the natural and balanced development of the vines. This careful attention to the soil and the plant ensures the production of high-quality grapes, with unique characteristics linked to each individual plot.

Winemaking at Champagne Fleury

The winemaking process at Champagne Fleury reflects the family's commitment to nature-friendly viticulture. Since 1997, the estate has reintroduced fermentation in wood, with oak barrels housing wines from the estate's oldest vines, aged between 30 and 45 years. The gallery of oak foudres, built in 2007 under the direction of Jean-Sébastien, is a testament to the estate's traditional and artisanal approach.

Fermentations take place slowly and on lees, until the spring following the harvest. The wines are then blended as a family during meticulous tasting sessions, to create harmonious cuvées that are representative of the terroir. The estate also uses innovative techniques such as the "reverse solera", where a portion of the reserve wines is added to the blends of each new harvest.

One of the great innovations of the Fleury estate is the production of the sulphur-free cuvée "Sonate", launched in 2009. This unsulphited Champagne highlights the purity and finesse of the wine's natural aromas — a true technical feat in Champagne.

The Cuvées of Champagne Fleury

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

Blanc de Noirs Brut: Created in 1955, this iconic cuvée is a pure pinot noir aged for 4 years. It stands out for its notes of white peach and its structured elegance.  

Fleur de l'Europe Brut Nature: The estate's first biodynamic cuvée, this blend of pinot noir and chardonnay stands out for its zero dosage, offering a fresh and precisely crafted Champagne.

Rosé de Saignée Brut: Crafted using the traditional saignée method, this 100% pinot noir rosé presents a generous bouquet of red fruits with excellent drinkability.

Cépages Blancs Extra Brut: This 100% chardonnay unveils aromas of dried fruits and white flowers, with an elegant structure and a beautiful liveliness on the palate.

Notes Blanches Brut Nature: A rare and exotic single-varietal pinot blanc, offering generous aromas of yellow fruits and spices.

Robert Fleury Extra Brut: A tribute cuvée honouring Jean-Sébastien's grandfather, blending pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot blanc, with complex aromas of ginger, quince, and toasted walnut.

Boléro Extra Brut: A 100% pinot noir vintage wine, sourced from the estate's oldest plots, with notes of dried raisins, toasted almonds, and warm bread.

Sonate Extra Brut: With no added sulphur, 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 in Champagne, with powerful aromas of exotic fruits and a beautiful lingering finish.

Millésime Extra Brut: Composed of 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay, this vintage wine offers aromas of honey, roasted notes, and a beautiful minerality.

Coteaux Champenois Blanc: This still wine is a pure pinot blanc, vinified half in jars and half in oak barrels. The cuvée reveals notes of flint and citrus with a precise and tangy palate.

Coteaux Champenois Rouge: A still red wine crafted from mature pinot noir. Its vibrant ruby colour and bouquet of red fruits make this wine a rich, dense, and generous pleasure.

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

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

If you enjoy Champagne Fleury, you might 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, Benoit Marguet but also our vintage Champagnes and terroir Champagnes....

Champagne Fleury is a pioneering and iconic estate that combines respect for nature, family tradition, and innovation in its agricultural and winemaking practices. By embracing biodynamics and striving to reveal the best of each vintage, Maison Fleury produces Champagnes that are both authentic and unique. Whether you are a natural wine enthusiast or simply in search of exceptional Champagnes, the cuvées of Champagne Fleury are an invitation to discovery and sensory pleasure.