Champagne Domaine La BORDERIE, Bar sur Seine, RM

Dynamic young winemakers with agroforestry in the vineyard for ultimate biodiversity

Domaine La Borderie is the family winery of siblings Marie and Simon Normand, founded in 2013 in Bar-Sur-Seine in the Côte des Bar, after their family had been solely grape suppliers for six generations. Winemaking runs in their blood. Marie completed training in viticulture, oenology, and farm management. Simon originally studied nature protection and management. After a year of working in the vineyards and taking courses in viticulture and oenology, he completed a BTS in Viti-Oeno in Beaune. He also learned the craft at Bouchard Père et Fils in Burgundy (2009-2011). Influenced by his Burgundian experiences and some outstanding references from Champagne, he returned to the family estate convinced. It's no surprise that the Champagnes from this talented sibling duo have become an insider's tip after just a few years.

Regarding the name: "La Borderie" means "small farm" in old French, or more specifically, an area of land that could be plowed in one year by one or two pairs of oxen. This name, instead of the family name, as is otherwise customary in Champagne, was consciously chosen as a tribute to the entire team that contributes each year to the success of the champagne production, a name that thus does not only refer to the family.

Sustainability in the vineyard is of the highest priority for Marie and Simon. For this reason, their domaine is certified according to the strict guidelines of the "High Environmental Value" and "Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne" labels. These focus on environmentally friendly practices in the vineyard, biodiversity protection (such as planting hedges and trees), maximizing biodiversity, and responsible water management. They have also become significant honey producers, with beehives accompanying every vineyard.

The winery is ultra modern, gravity fed and with each batch vinified separately. A little oak is used typically 5-15% of oak-fermented wines, the stainless steel fermented wines go through the malolactic fermentation whereas in barrels it is avoided. Oxidative style is not to their liking, tension and fruitiness very much are. The Champagnes from La Borderie are very puristic, with an engaging interplay of aromatic spice, deep fruit, and elegant, graceful freshness and precision. This is achieved through perfectly ripened grapes, relatively late tirage, and a balanced, long yeast aging.

Of the 11 hectares of vineyards, only a portion is used for their own Champagne production, and only the cuvée (first pressing) is utilized; the rest is sold to large houses. Pinot Noir occupies 70% of the vineyard area, with Meunier, Chardonnay, and a small amount of Pinot Blanc also grown. Estimated annual production: 20,000 bottles.

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