Brion Wise Millésime Brut Vallée de la Marne 2015

When Brion Wise first came to wine country in the early 1990s, he wasn’t looking for established vineyards or a ready-made story. He wanted land without vines—ground that would require patience, vision, and a willingness to begin without guarantees. It’s a pattern that runs through his life’s work: start at the root, accept the long horizon, and let time do its quiet shaping. His Champagne feels like a natural extension of that philosophy.

For this millésime, Wise partnered with the eighth-generation Coutelas family in Dizy. Established in 1809, the family brings deep roots in the Vallée de la Marne; Wise brings the insistence on intentional beginnings. Together, they crafted a pure expression of 2015: equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from 60-year-old vines, farmed sustainably and organically.

The base wines were fermented in stainless steel, blended, and then left to rest en tirage for seven years before disgorgement in March 2022. Time, here, is not a footnote—it is an ingredient. In the glass, that patience is evident. A deep yellow-gold hue and a fine, persistent bead set the stage for aromas of nectarine and Bosc pear layered with hazelnut, brioche, toasted vanilla, and marzipan. The texture is rich and velvety, yet composed—its power carried through a long, complete finish. We’re delighted for you to experience this intersection of California vision and Champenoise heritage, seven years in the making.