Champagne Extra Brut
Quintessence 2010

Domaine Lelarge-Pugeot embodies a history spanning more than two centuries, beginning when the first member of the Lelarge family settled in Vrigny, in the north-western part of the Montagne de Reims, now classified as Premier Cru. From here, a long agricultural and winemaking tradition takes shape, crossing generations while maintaining a deep connection to the land. Despite the challenges of the two World Wars, the family preserved its vineyard heritage, leading in 1930 to the first bottled cuvées—an essential milestone in defining its identity.

A decisive turning point came in the early 1980s, when Dominique Lelarge took over the estate together with Dominique Pugeot, whom he met during his studies in Burgundy. This marked the birth of the present-day Lelarge-Pugeot, built on a clear vision: respecting natural balance and promoting biodiversity. This philosophy translates into concrete practices, from cover cropping to the use of draft horses, along with a gradual abandonment of synthetic chemicals. The path culminated in organic certification in 2010, the same year the first Meunier-based cuvée was released, highlighting the Domaine’s historic grape variety.

Today, Lelarge-Pugeot farms its entire vineyard area according to organic principles, with part managed biodynamically, prioritizing quality over yield. The pursuit of balance guides every decision, from parcel management to winemaking, with the aim of preserving the most authentic expression of Vrigny’s terroir. Now led by the eighth generation of vignerons, the Domaine continues to evolve with a contemporary approach, crafting cuvées and Coteaux Champenois Rouge that combine precision, energy and a strong sense of identity.