Vouette & Sorbée

He called his cows the marketing department. Bertrand Gautherot, the spiritual father of the Côte des Bar, took over his family’s vineyards in Buxières-sur-Arce in 1986 and has bottled his own Champagnes since 2001. Champagne Vouette & Sorbée has held Demeter certification since 1998 and is regarded as a trailblazer of natural viticulture in the Aube. Richard Juhlin calls it “the only four-star estate outside the Marne”.

Five hectares on Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone, the geological siblings of Chablis. Spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, ageing in wooden casks, no dosage, no filtration, only minimal sulphur. Every step is done by hand, from pruning to disgorgement. Growers from de Bichery to Barrat-Masson name Gautherot as their inspiration. The wines: rare, sought-after, legendary.