Leclerc-Briant
The Champagne House of Leclerc Briant has a rich history that dates back over one hundred and forty years. The unique identity of the house was built through generation after generation of the Leclerc family who, thanks to their inquisitive and inventive nature and their openness to change, paved the way for organic and biodynamic agriculture in Champagne today. The company was founded in 1872 in Cumières by Lucien Leclerc, the son of a family of vine growers from Aÿ. In 1955 the business moved to Epernay and not long after, Bertrand Leclerc, the 4th generation of the family, and his wife Jacqueline Briant established the company as a champagne trading house, or Négociant.In the 1950’s, Bertrand and Jacqueline first introduced organic production into the vineyards. They were very attuned to nature in all aspects of life and this focus on the earth heavily influenced the family and would continue to be a part of the house for decades to come. Although only modest farmers, they were far ahead of their time, and by the 1960s were undertaking their first experiments with biodynamics.
Leclerc-Briant
The Champagne House of Leclerc Briant has a rich history that dates back over one hundred and forty years. The unique identity of the house was built through generation after generation of the Leclerc family who, thanks to their inquisitive and inventive nature and their openness to change, paved the way for organic and biodynamic agriculture in Champagne today.The company was founded in 1872 in Cumières by Lucien Leclerc, the son of a family of vine growers from Aÿ. In 1955 the business moved to Epernay and not long after, Bertrand Leclerc, the 4th generation of the family, and his wife Jacqueline Briant established the company as a champagne trading house, or Négociant.In the 1950’s, Bertrand and Jacqueline first introduced organic production into the vineyards. They were very attuned to nature in all aspects of life and this focus on the earth heavily influenced the family and would continue to be a part of the house for decades to come. Although only modest farmers, they were far ahead of their time, and by the 1960s were undertaking their first experiments with biodynamics.
Frédéric Zeimett CEO of Leclerc-Briant
Bertrand’s son Pascal inherited the house in 1990 and continued his father’s legacy, boldly adopting biodynamic production on a full half hectare of vines. He persevered for more than 10 years and, with a handful of like-minded vignerons, paved the way for what was to become the biodynamic movement in Champagne. Following Pascal’s sudden death, an American couple Mark Nunnelly and Denise Dupré acquired Leclerc Briant in 2012. Lovers of the French art de vivre, Mark and Denise fell in love with Leclerc Briant, its history and its philosophy. They took ownership of the house in partnership with Frédéric Zeimett, a native of Champagne with vast experience in the world of fine wine, who is now the Managing Director. Together, this team crafted a vision to breathe new life into Leclerc Briant – to restore its soul and to reclaim its place as a leader in Champagne. The bold and inventive spirit of the Leclerc family lives on today, continuing the tradition of producing Biodynamic wines, not so much as an aim in and of itself, but rather, as a means of creating the highest possible quality Champagnes.
Frédéric Zeimett CEO of Leclerc-Briant
Bertrand’s son Pascal inherited the house in 1990 and continued his father’s legacy, boldly adopting biodynamic production on a full half hectare of vines. He persevered for more than 10 years and, with a handful of like-minded vignerons, paved the way for what was to become the biodynamic movement in Champagne.Following Pascal’s sudden death, an American couple Mark Nunnelly and Denise Dupré acquired Leclerc Briant in 2012. Lovers of the French art de vivre, Mark and Denise fell in love with Leclerc Briant, its history and its philosophy. They took ownership of the house in partnership with Frédéric Zeimett, a native of Champagne with vast experience in the world of fine wine, who is now the Managing Director. Together, this team crafted a vision to breathe new life into Leclerc Briant – to restore its soul and to reclaim its place as a leader in Champagne. The bold and inventive spirit of the Leclerc family lives on today, continuing the tradition of producing Biodynamic wines, not so much as an aim in and of itself, but rather, as a means of creating the highest possible quality Champagnes.
Hervé Jestin
Champagne Leclerc-Briant Cellar Master
Hervé Jestin, an oenologist well-known in Champagne as a specialist in biodynamics, has been the consultant to the House of Leclerc Briant for many years. Biodynamics provides an insight into the vibrations that pass between the cosmos, and microorganisms, between the vines and the wine; that in turn allows the creation of a harmonious environment…
Hervé Jestin
Champagne Leclerc-Briant Cellar Master
Hervé Jestin, an oenologist well-known in Champagne as a specialist in biodynamics, has been the consultant to the House of Leclerc Briant for many years. Biodynamics provides an insight into the vibrations that pass between the cosmos, and microorganisms, between the vines and the wine; that in turn allows the creation of a harmonious environment…
At every stage from the pressing of the grapes to the disgorging of the bottles the House of Leclerc Briant adopts a soft and natural style of winemaking. The wines are given the utmost respect and are ‘listened’ to; they are nourished by the light and by the life flowing through biodynamics so they can fully express their individuality without interference of any kind and always in keeping with the unique energy of each vintage.
After vinification the wines are left to age in cellars deep underground for a long time before being disgorged. Dosage is kept to a minimum to avoid masking any nuance of the wines’ character so that the consumer can appreciate them in a totally new way that reveals the ‘vertical thread’ that links the vine to the wine.
For the House of Leclerc Briant there is no alternative to this meticulous and singular approach. After all, a champagne that is worthy to accompany some of the most important moments of one’s life deserves extra care and attention.
At every stage from the pressing of the grapes to the disgorging of the bottles the House of Leclerc Briant adopts a soft and natural style of winemaking. The wines are given the utmost respect and are ‘listened’ to; they are nourished by the light and by the life flowing through biodynamics so they can fully express their individuality without interference of any kind and always in keeping with the unique energy of each vintage.
After vinification the wines are left to age in cellars deep underground for a long time before being disgorged. Dosage is kept to a minimum to avoid masking any nuance of the wines’ character so that the consumer can appreciate them in a totally new way that reveals the ‘vertical thread’ that links the vine to the wine.
For the House of Leclerc Briant there is no alternative to this meticulous and singular approach. After all, a champagne that is worthy to accompany some of the most important moments of one’s life deserves extra care and attention.
At September 2017. Champagne. France.
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