Yves Ruffin

In 1971 Yves Ruffin and his wife Odette, both descended from families of vignerons, founded Champagne Yves Ruffin in Avenay-Val-d'Or, a Premier Cru village in the Grande Vallée de la Marne. Going firmly against the grain, Yves rejected conventional viticulture from the outset and chose to tend his vines by natural methods, becoming one of the pioneers of organic viticulture in Champagne. A mentor to entire generations, he passed his vision on to his son Thierry, then to Sylvie and today to Antonin, the third generation, who together with his partner Cécile preserves and carries forward the family legacy.

The historic vineyard, around three hectares between Avenay-Val-d'Or and Tauxières, is planted in almost equal parts with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, embraced by celebrated terroirs such as the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne. Vinification takes place exclusively in old oak and acacia fûts and foudres — acacia being a rare wood that lends the Chardonnay delicate notes of honey and white flowers — favouring micro-oxygenation. The wines then rest slowly in the cellar dug by hand into the chalk, where time refines finesse and depth. A Domaine faithful to its land, telling in every cuvée the authenticity of the Champagne of times past.