The sustainable winegrowing
Respect for the fauna and flora is an absolute necessity in our practices.
We actively respect the biodiversity of the Champagne region and its own ecosystem.
The Veuve Maurice Lepitre vineyard has obtained the HVE level 3 certification (High Environmental Value) and the VDC certification (Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne) since January 2020. For 15 years, we have been taking care of our plots without using insecticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides. The weeding of our plots is done mechanically.
The treatment of winemaking effluents and rinsing water has been improved to meet the needs of our customers andto meet current standards with the improvement of our on-farm traceability systems.
In addition to respecting a virtuous practice on our vineyard in accordance with our principles, we want to pass on a land of quality Champagne to future generations.
The massal selection
The average age of our vines is 40 years old and our eldest vines are close to 70 years old.
When replanting a plot of land or changing a dead vine stock, our predecessors have always privileged the massal selection. They passed this technique on to us because they wanted to preserve the the quality and originality of their vineyard.
Rather than in a “nursery”, they would choose their grafts by cutting a shoot from their most valuable branch of beautiful vines.
This technique was not without risk, particularly in terms of protection against certain diseases, but it allowed to maintain a high-quality production with a varietal diversity of vine stocks conferring aromatic typicity in our wines, in particular thanks to our eldest vines. Nowadays, the massal selection gave our wines the consistency of aromas and flavours that we’ve always been striving for.
Our grape varieties
The grape variety expresses itself due to the substances it absorbs from its soil.
In Rilly-la-Montagne, firstly it is the chalk of the limestone subsoil that gives the typicity to our wines in addition to our specific climate and the relief of our hillsides.
Since 1935, three grape varieties have been used in the production of Champagne,thanks to their perfect suitability to the terroir of the region.
The Veuve Maurice Lepitre estate distinguishes itself by its production of champagne from these 3 grape varieties present on its plot: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, then 20% Pinot Noir.
“The existence of Chardonnay is highly unusual for the region, where we find
essentially Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
This exceptional grape variety which grows on a Pinot’s soil creates a unique character for our wines that we would love for you to taste !”
The Pinot Noir
This is a black grape with white juice.
It yields wines that are well structured,
rich and powerful with red fruits
aromas.
The Pinot Meunier
This is also a black grape producing mainly
white juice. It produces wines that are round and fruity; and secondly, it is late-budding and therefore more resistant to the spring frost.
The Chardonnay
This is a white grape with white juice. It gives finesse and elegance to the wine with a long maturing capacity. Chardonnay ages well and develops aromas of toast, brioche, hazelnut and citrus fruits.