Champagne Fernand Lemaire

4 Generations of Champagne Makers Committed to Excellence

In 1903, Fernand created his first cuvées under his own name, marking the beginning of a legacy that would span four generations. His son Robert expanded the vineyard, always respecting Champagne’s time-honored traditions. In 1984, Fernand’s grandson Frédéric and his wife Christine took over, continuing to manage the vines and cellar while growing the recognition of their champagne both in France and internationally. Fernand's great-granddaughter, Hélène, naturally joined her parents in managing the family estate, later joined by her brother Benoît. Since 2022, they have both officially taken the reins of the estate, representing the fourth generation.

Our estate spans 7 hectares of vines, divided into 24 plots, on the prestigious Hautvillers 1er Cru terroir. We cultivate the three iconic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, with Pinot Meunier making up 38% of our plantings. For over 10 years, we have ceased using chemical herbicides, instead working the soil with sustainable farming practices, and we proudly hold the HVE (High Environmental Value) certification.

A Time-Honored Winemaking Process

From harvest to bottling, every step is carefully managed to ensure consistent quality across our cuvées. We are proud members of the Champagne Independent Growers Federation. We emphasize quality grape cultivation, as it is essential to harvest only the finest raw materials. To preserve the unique characteristics of our terroir and must, we use a traditional press dating back to 1960, with a 2000 kg capacity. Our winery features small and medium-sized tanks to separate the juices from our grapes, allowing us to blend them for our cuvées.

Our champagnes rest for a minimum of 30 months, with some cuvées aging for up to 10 years, in our traditional cellars carved into chalk at a naturally perfect temperature of 11°C. These optimal conditions allow us to craft champagne that reflects our decades of dedication.