Location and vineyard
Ambonnay lies on the south-facing slope of the Montagne de Reims in the Grands Noirs sector of Champagne. The vineyard covers about 389 hectares and is located mainly on slopes oriented south-southeast at around 130 metres above sea level. In south-exposed locations, the commune shows silty-clayey areas.
Grape varieties and wines
The vineyard is planted to around 83% Pinot Noir and 17% Chardonnay. Pinot Noir predominates on the slopes, while Chardonnay is more often planted on slopes exposed to the south-east. Ambonnay Rouge is a red wine made from selected south-exposed silty-clayey plots.
Historical development
Wine growing in Ambonnay has been documented since Gallo-Roman times. During the French Revolution, the vineyard covered about 120 hectares; from the 1950s onwards, it grew to around 389 hectares. In 1578, Henry III allowed the construction of defensive ditches, fortification walls and drawbridges, as well as the annual wine trade on St Luke’s Day.
Appellation rules
Under the regulations of the Champagne appellation that apply from 6 August 2025, Ambonnay is one of the communes of the Marne whose grapes may be approved for the supplementary designation “Grand Cru”. The Appellation Coteaux champenois comprises still white, rosé and red wines and allows the appellation name to be supplemented with the commune where the grapes are from. In the associated vineyards, a permanent sward for the forefields and winter sward between the rows are prescribed; irrigation is forbidden. The wines must mature for at least until 15 August of the year following the harvest; red wines must also complete a full biological acid breakdown.
