Flavigny, Côte des Blancs: A Rising Star of Terroir-Driven Champagne

Dhondt-Grellet represents the new generation of Champagne growers. Based in Flavigny, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, he farms around five hectares of vineyards with remarkable precision. His Champagnes stand out for their tension, extended lees ageing, and a rare clarity of terroir for such a young estate, placing him among the most compelling grower Champagne producers to emerge from the Côte des Blancs in recent years.

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Terroirs

The parcels are spread across the Côte des Blancs, with shallow chalk soils that define the finest Chardonnay Champagne terroirs in the world. Varied exposures allow for distinct expressions depending on the cuvée, capturing the full diversity of this celebrated Grand Cru and Premier Cru landscape, from the mineral precision of Avize to the more textural profiles found across the appellation.

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Viticulture

Sustainable farming practices moving steadily toward organic viticulture, in line with the approach of the finest artisan Champagne growers today. Regular ploughing, respect for natural balances and controlled yields ensure that each parcel expresses its character without the distortion of excess production.

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Vinification

Fermentation takes place in oak barrels and stainless steel tanks depending on the cuvée, a flexible approach that preserves the individual identity of each terroir. Indigenous yeasts guide fermentation throughout. No malolactic fermentation is carried out, a deliberate choice that preserves the natural acidity and freshness essential to the mineral tension that defines these terroir-driven Champagnes, an approach shared by producers such as Pascal Agrapart and Egly-Ouriet in their pursuit of maximum terroir clarity.

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Ageing

Extended ageing on lees, often exceeding four years, places Adrien Dhondt-Grellet among the most patient and rigorous grower Champagne producers of his generation. Minimal or zero dosage ensures nothing masks the expression of the chalk and the vine, a philosophy aligned with the finest zero-dosage Champagne producers on the Côte des Blancs.

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Style and Ageing Potential

Highly precise Champagnes combining mineral tension and depth, with a clarity of expression that reflects both the chalk soils of the Côte des Blancs and the meticulous work in vineyard and cellar. Ageing potential of eight to fifteen years places these wines firmly in the category of age-worthy grower Champagne worth cellaring with patience.

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FAQ

Availability?
Only available in the United Kingdom through Melchior, making Adrien Dhondt-Grellet one of the most exclusive and sought-after small-production grower Champagne producers accessible to British collectors and enthusiasts.

What is his specialty?Terroir-driven Chardonnay Champagnes, aged extensively on lees with no malolactic fermentation, producing wines of remarkable mineral precision and longevity rooted in the chalk soils of the Côte des Blancs.