Piollot

The Integrity Take

Roland Piollot is a 5th generation grape grower. He returned to the family farm in 1986 with a commitment to use the grapes for Champagne and thus began Champagne Piollot. Roland produces of the few 100% Pinot Blanc Champagnes from the Colas Robin plot in his vineyard. He takes advantage of the location of his vineyards, closer to Chablis than Eperney and the deep Kimmeridgien soils. Fun fact, he is married to Dominique from Marie Courtin.

The Piollot family has been growers in Aube since the early 1800s
They manage an 8.5Ha vineyard with more that 50% being 40+ years of age
Roland is the 5th generation winegrower with his wife Dominique Moreau of Champagne Marie Courtin

The Story

The Piollot family established themselves as growers in the Aube in the late 1800s. This is an area south of the epicenter of most Champagne production, closer to Chablis than Reims or Epernay. This issue of distance famously came to head in 1911 when Aube farmers were removed from the Champagne classification and promptly revolted. This issue went back and forth until finally ending in 1927 when the courts ruled in favor of the Aube’s inclusion. The resistance was led in part by Roland’s great-grandfather who aided in securing their right to be called Champagne today.

Now operated by 5th generation winegrower Roland Piollot and his wife Dominique Moreau, Champagne Piollot continues to preserve the traditions of Champagne. Their daughter Jeanne Piollot joined the Domaine in 2018 and represents the 6th generation of family vignerons.

Roland’s father Robert spent his life closely observing the vines year after year and selected only the best to use when he replanted all their vineyards. When cuttings are taken from several different older vines with preferable attributes as a means to propagate new vines it is known as Selection Massale. Also, in a time when farmers were ripping out less-preferred varieties to focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Robert chose to maintain his Pinot Blanc which is greatly responsible for the unique character of their vineyard. Finally, in 1986, Roland returned home committed to producing 100% of the estate’s fruit as Champagne and began making and selling their wines under Piollot et Fils.

To produce the purest expression of his family’s land and terroir, Roland utilizes Organic and biodynamic practices in both the vineyard and the cellar. Everything is estate-grown, hand-harvested, and natural/indigenous yeast fermented.

They exclusively utilize natural fertilizer prepared by the estate. Roland works the soil regularly and pays careful attention to his plants so that he may help guide them. In the tradition of their village, the family creates 100% Pinot Noir rosés by employing the maceration process in vintages that meet the full potential.