AOC ChampagnePinot MeunierFounded 1998Agnes and Jerome PrevostWinemaker Jerome PrevostMontagne de Reims
Gueux micro-grower founded 1998 by Jerome Prevost, with a cult following for Meunier-dominant single-vineyard Champagne from the Les Beguines parcel.
Tasting: Tiny grower; visits by email appointment only, subject to availability.
Signature wines: la-closerie-les-beguines, la-closerie-fac-simile
Tip: Les Beguines is built almost entirely on old-vine Pinot Meunier, rare as a varietal cuvee.
AOC ChampagnePinot Noir, ChardonnayFounded 2005Savart familyWinemaker Frederic SavartMontagne de Reims
Ecueil grower under Frederic Savart on the south Montagne de Reims, making precise, Pinot-led Premier Cru Champagnes from massale-selection vines.
Tasting: Small grower; visits by appointment in Ecueil.
Signature wines: savart-lopen
Tip: Savart works the prized pinot fin d'Ecueil, an old massale selection of Pinot Noir.
AOC ChampagnePinot Noir, ChardonnayFounded 1870Marguet familyWinemaker Benoit MarguetDemeter CertifiedECOCERTMontagne de Reims
Ambonnay grower led by Benoit Marguet, farming Grand Cru vines biodynamically with horse ploughing, Demeter-certified, for vivid low-dosage Champagnes.
Tasting: Grower estate; visits by appointment in Ambonnay.
Signature wines: marguet-shaman
Tip: Marguet has ploughed its vineyards with horses since 2010, unusual in Champagne.
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.