Champagne Dhondt-Grellet

Winemaker Profile | Champagne, France

Over the past two decades, the Grower movement in Champagne has seen the rise to prominence of hundreds of new estates and the fall of nearly as many. Dhondt-Grellet is one of the few new faces to the Champagne scene that has not only maintained its follower base from the start but has gained in acclaim and status every year. There is no doubt anymore that it is one of the most serious new players in Champagne today.  Although Dhondt-Grellet has only reached its star status relatively recent, the estate dates back to 1986 when Éric Dhondt and Édith Grellet settled in Flavigny, in the very heart of the Côte des Blancs. In 2010, their son Adrien Dhondt took over the management of the estate at the age of 26, bringing fresh energy to the production.

The estate cultivates around six hectares of vineyards, primarily located in the Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites of the Côte des Blancs. The vines, averaging 40 years of age, are predominantly Chardonnay, complemented by smaller amounts of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The entry cuvées "Dans un Premier Temps" and "Les Terres Fines," immediately showcase the elegance and minerality of the terroir and the single vineyard wines stun with their verve and complexity.

The philosophy of Champagne Dhondt-Grellet rests upon biodynamic farming and a deep respect for the terroir. Adrien Dhondt focuses on late harvesting at optimal ripeness and aging the base wines in barrel to enhance their complexity and depth. By minimising the use of chemicals and employing meticulous vinification practices, the estate aims to produce Champagne of the highest quality that authentically reflects the character of its origin.