Élise dechannes
Country: France
Region: Champagne (Côte des Bar)
Appellation(s):
Champagne, Rosé des Riceys
Grapes:
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Farming:
organic, biodynamic
Size :
4.5 hectares
Geology:
limestone
Élise Dechannes has been making small amounts of excellent wine in Les Riceys for years, quietly working her island of biodynamic farmed vines amidst a sea of conventional growers in the most famous appellation of southern Champagne.
A former investment banker in Troyes, Elise inherited a part of her family‘s vineyard holdings in 2008, and endured years of frustration on her own path to separate from her family's reliance on conventional farming methods. (In fact, because of intense family pressure, she is moving her cellar and winemaking equipment to the neighboring town of Gyé-sur-Seine — where the atmosphere is more open and accepting of organic farmers.). But thanks to encouragement in recent vintages from her friends and neighbors Olivier and Marie Horiot, she’s found her own voice.
Elise makes free and accessible champagnes, as well as a beautiful still Rosé de Riceys that is unfortunately too small in quantity for us to have any this year, but maybe next year…
