AOC ChampagnePinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot MeunierFounded 1847Bereche familyWinemaker Raphael and Vincent BerecheMontagne de Reims
Ludes grower established 1847, run by brothers Raphael and Vincent Bereche toward low-dosage, terroir-driven Champagnes with extended lees ageing.
Tasting: Grower estate; visits by appointment in Ludes.
Signature wines: bereche-brut-reserve
Tip: Le Cran is a single-village Ludes Premier Cru that helped build the estate's modern reputation.
AOC ChampagnePinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot GrisFounded 1808Drappier familyCote des Bar
Family house at Urville in the Cote des Bar, founded 1808, Pinot-led and a custodian of Champagne's rare grapes through its four-grape Quattuor.
Tasting: Family estate in the Cote des Bar; visits and tastings, see the house for hours.
Signature wines: drappier-carte-dor-brut, drappier-quattuor
Tip: Quattuor blends the rare Arbane, Petit Meslier and Blanc Vrai with Chardonnay.
AOC ChampagneChardonnayFounded 1935Gimonnet familyWinemaker Didier and Olivier GimonnetCote des Blancs
Cuis Chardonnay grower bottling since 1935, with major Cote des Blancs holdings including Cramant and Chouilly, making crisp, precise Blanc de Blancs.
Tasting: Grower reception and tasting in Cuis, Monday to Friday and Saturday by appointment.
Signature wines: gimonnet-cuis-1er-cru, gimonnet-fleuron
Tip: The family owns more Cote des Blancs vineyard than almost any other grower.
AOC ChampagnePinot Noir, ChardonnayFounded 1833Bara familyWinemaker Chantale BaraBouzy
Seventh-generation Bouzy grower founded 1833, working 100 percent Grand Cru vines, Pinot Noir-led with a renowned rose and the rare still Bouzy Rouge.
Tasting: Grower estate; visits by appointment in Bouzy.
Signature wines: paul-bara-grand-rose-de-bouzy, paul-bara-brut-reserve
Tip: All the fruit comes from Grand Cru Bouzy, famed for ripe, powerful Pinot Noir.
AOC ChampagneChardonnayFounded 1954Vazart familyWinemaker Jean-Pierre VazartCote des Blancs
Chouilly Grand Cru Chardonnay grower founded 1954 under Jean-Pierre Vazart, making generous, single-village Blanc de Blancs with a large perpetual reserve.
Tasting: Grower estate; visits by appointment in Chouilly.
Signature wines: vazart-coquart-grand-bouquet, vazart-coquart-special-club
Tip: All fruit comes from Grand Cru Chouilly at the northern end of the Cote des Blancs.
AOC ChampagneChardonnayFounded 1959Diebolt familyCramant
Cramant Chardonnay grower making Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from the Cote des Blancs, with the old-vine, oak-fermented prestige cuvee Fleur de Passion.
Tasting: Grower estate; visits by appointment in Cramant.
Signature wines: diebolt-vallois-blanc-de-blancs, diebolt-vallois-fleur-de-passion
Tip: Fleur de Passion is fermented in old oak from old vines and made without malolactic.