The vineyard
The vineyard
A garden to cherish
Maison Taittinger now owns the second largest vineyard in Champagne. A garden of 288 hectares, for our generation and the generations of tomorrow. A culture that respects natural requirements.
A UNIQUE CULTURE
Champagne viticulture
In each row of vines, nature and human endeavour advance side by side. Attention is paid to the balance, future, and quality of the grapes every day. In 2005, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger began transitioning to sustainable vineyards: tilled soil, controlled grass cover, and no herbicides or insecticides. An approach that respects living organisms, designed as a quality requirement.
Today, Christelle Rinville continues this approach across the estate's 37 vineyards, spread across the Côte des Blancs, the Marne Valley, the Montagne de Reims, and the Aube. These vineyards meet nearly half of the champagne house’s needs, allowing certain plots to be dedicated to specific cuvées such as Les Folies de la Marquetterie, and ensuring the consistency of the blends. The rest comes from winegrowing partners, chosen for their rigour and commitment to sustainable viticulture.
INDISPENSABLE NATURAL CAPITAL
The vineyard as a starting point for creation
Each harvest reveals a new expression. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier evolve over the seasons, offering a range of nuances that nourish the art of blending and give each cuvée its character.
At Taittinger, time is an integral part of the job. The wines are left to rest for a long time in cellars: more than four years for the Brut Réserve, more than ten years for the Comtes de Champagne. This patience allows each grape variety to find its place, the freshness of Chardonnay, the structure of Pinot Noir, the roundness of the Meunier, in a balance faithful to the Taittinger style.
CARE, ADAPTATION AND OPENNESS TO CHALLENGES
Between experience and experiment
Care and innovation have always been at the heart of Maison Taittinger’s savoir-faire. From the vine to the harvest, each stage is carefully observed, measured and adjusted. Plot selection, grape tasting, ripening: more than 1,700 samples are taken before each harvest, with increased attention to plots intended for red wines or Folies de la Marquetterie and Comtes de Champagne cuvées.
In the face of climate challenges, this requirement guides choices every day. Sensible soil management, limited inputs, controlled fertilisation, preserved biodiversity: each practice aims to achieve balance. Complementary solutions enrich this approach, such as eco-grazing, which reduces tractor use and promotes natural vegetation cover.
For Christelle Rinville, the vineyard director, the objective remains the same: to maintain high standards while moving towards viticulture that is increasingly respectful of the terroirs, people and the environment. Innovation has become an art form here, serving to ensure consistent quality and a lasting legacy.
A RECOGNISED COMMITMENT TO OUR VITICULTURAL PRACTICES
HVE, VDC and UNESCO
Maison Taittinger has a natural and longstanding commitment to environmental protection. In particular, Taittinger stopped using herbicides almost 20 years ago. This approach has resulted in recognised certifications. The HVE (High Environmental Value) certification, introduced in 2011, regulates wine-growing practices in three key areas: sustainable management of treatments, controlled fertilisation and preservation of biodiversity.
The VDC (Sustainable Winegrowing in Champagne) certification, rolled out from 2014 and strengthened in 2020, goes further. Specific to Champagne’s vineyards, it incorporates compliance with regulations and HVE requirements with additional commitments: protection of terroirs, landscape enhancement, responsible waste management and a reduced carbon footprint.
This dynamic is part of a collective and sustainable vision for the vineyard. This resonates strongly with the inclusion of the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015, recognising the expertise, landscape and culture shaped over time.
Discover
the soul of the house
Explore the Saint-Nicaise site in Reims, where you can discover the history of the Maison Taittinger step by step. An iconic place to experience our savoir-faire and discover what defines our identity.
