Champagne Elea Les Coquelicots de Cerseuil Extra Brut Vallée de la Marne MV

Champagne Elea got its start in 1991 when David Herblin began planting vineyards in Vallée de la Marne, particularly in the villages of Cerseuil, Troissy, and Bouquigny.  A few years later, his wife Emmanuelle, joined the efforts and the two worked passionately to cultivate their vines which consisted of primarily of Pinot Meunier with a small handful of Chardonnay vines.  Vallée de la Marne is known for its Pinot Meunier which up until the late 1970s, was grown for quantity over quality and sold to larger houses for mass production.  It's the region where many grower Champagnes have changed the course of their legacies by finally keeping their fruit for themselves and instead crafting Champagnes of distinction and purity.

Sadly in 2014, David Herblin suffered a tragic accident and Emmanuelle was left with the vineyards all to herself to manage.  In a moment of immense need and grief, the winemakers of Cerseuil and Troissy banded around her and helped to harvest her vines and craft the wines for the 2014 vintage.  She holds exceptional gratitude for those winemakers and to this day, they continue to assist with the Les Coquelicots de Cerseuil cuvee.  It serves as an homage to the community and hands that picked her up and cared for her and her vines in that time.

She blends 70% Pinot Meunier with 30% Chardonnay for this cuvée and adds a 5g/L dosage of purely Pinot Meunier liqueur from a perpetual reserve that's run since 2014.  "I love fresh, mineral, and round champagnes on the fruit. The energy inside my champagne has to make us smile, growing in intensity and bringing good vibrations." ~ Emmanuelle