Étienne Calsac

When Étienne Calsac took over his grandparents' vineyards around Avize, Côte des Blancs, in 2010, he decided to start from scratch to fulfill his childhood dream: becoming a winemaker and above all making his own wine. The grapes his grandparents used to sell off, he wanted to use for his own terroir champagne. From now on, cover crop was encouraged in the vineyards, and pesticides were out. He is part today of this young Champagne guard that is shaking things up and continues with sincerity and determination to plow the furrow of author and terroir champagnes. 

Chardonnay is king at Étienne Calsac, along with some forgotten grape varieties like Petit Meslier or Arbane. Each parcel is vinified separately, and only part of the wine is barrel aged. Étienne started a reserve perpetuelle- or solerasystem, blending older and younger vintages. This reserve wine is used to add depth to the non vintage l'Echappée Belle.