Augustin

In Avenay-Val-d'Or, in the Vallée de la Marne, Domaine Augustin is set within an exclusive landscape of vineyards and forests. The result of the work of two families of winegrowers who have followed one another from generation to generation, its origins date back to the 20th century, when Andrée Lefevre, the great-grandmother of Marc Augustin—who now manages the Domaine—began producing Champagne.

It was later the time of Jean Augustin, Marc’s father, who between 1970 and 1980 gave a strong impulse to the business with ideas that were revolutionary for the era, choosing to abandon herbicides and chemical substances in the vineyards and opting for solutions that respect the terroirs. Today the management of the Domaine is entrusted to Marc Augustin, the latest generation of the family, who—thanks to the bold and counter-current choices of his predecessors—has inherited the best of the vineyards and a land that is rich and pure.

Marc is supported by his wife Emmanuelle, who has influenced the spirit and image of the Augustin Champagne range. The identity, the names, the colours, the materials—everything is consistent with the values of the estate. The Domaine’s vineyard holdings extend across the terroirs of Avenay-Val-d'Or, Premier Cru of the Vallée de la Marne, and Vertus, Premier Cru of the Côte des Blancs, and are cultivated according to the principles of certified organic and biodynamic philosophy, encouraged by the belief that “the world is a whole and every action leads to a reaction.”

Marc and Emmanuelle have a deep awareness of the value of the heritage entrusted to them, a precious legacy; for this reason all their efforts are inspired by continuous improvement. Their ideas and actions in the vineyard follow the principles of contemporary Biodynamics, based on clean viticulture with the lowest possible impact on the environment. Marc has coined the concept of “cardioviticulture”, cultivating with the heart, which sensitively summarizes the philosophy of the Domaine, founded on listening to nature and its needs.

The harvest is carried out according to the level of ripeness of each parcel and in accordance with the lunar calendar. Moreover, the Domaine relies on a team of women for the picking, as the female figure embodies delicacy, care, fecundity and fertility. With respect for the elements of nature—air quality, water, soil and its biodiversity—Augustin Champagnes reflect the vision of Marc and Emmanuelle and express the excellence of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties.

The winemaking process, in line with Demeter certification, is also conducted with the utmost care, with the aim of creating cuvées free from artifices and as a pure expression of the terroir. The grapes are not filtered in order to preserve their full character; no chaptalisation or refrigeration is carried out, no yeasts are added, and malolactic fermentation is not performed. In addition, enamel-lined vats are used, as they are considered gentler than stainless steel, along with barrels and wooden vessels from the Montagne de Reims and terracotta amphorae for their ageing potential.