Champagne Augustin in Avenay-Val-d'Or
Champagne Augustin is based at 2 Route de Germaine, 51160 Avenay-Val-d'Or, France. The winery is located in the Champagne, in the commune of Avenay-Val-d'Or, which is one of the communes approved for the Premier Cru designation within the Champagne appellation.
Family history and grape varieties
The history of the house goes back a total of nine generations across two winemaker families. Andrée Lefèvre began producing Champagne from her own grapes at the start of the 20th century and processing her harvest independently of négociants. Today, the winery grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Pinot Noir is assigned to the Montagne de Reims and Chardonnay to the Côte des Blancs.
Organic and biodynamic viticulture
The estate has been farmed organically since 2012 and biodynamically across the entire domaine since 2013; in 2016, the Demeter certification process began. Synthetic or artificial inputs are avoided. The cultivation includes a non-traumatic winter pruning method, tying up lianas instead of cutting back vigorous shoots in June, as well as linen and legume ground cover in the vineyard rows. The biodynamic work is adapted to individual plots and is planned partly according to the lunar cycle.
Vinification and Cuvée Terre
The grapes are pressed slowly and preferably in the morning. The wines are left unfiltered and are made with little sulphur and sugar; for vinification, enamelled tanks, wooden barrels, vessels and terracotta amphorae are used. The Cuvée Terre is a Blanc de Noirs made from 100 % Pinot Noir and is produced as Brut Nature with 0 grams of dosage per litre. The non-vintage Cuvée Terre is fermented unfiltered, including in enamelled tanks, terracotta vessels and oak barrels, and is then matured on the lees.
