Drappier Clarevallis

The family tree of the Drappier family has its roots in the birth of Rémy Drappier in 1604. It was not until 1808 that one of the ancestors of the house, François, settled in Urville and began to cultivate a vineyard of a few hectares. In the early 1930s, Michel Drappier's maternal grandfather was the first to replant Pinot Noir in the canton. His decision made people smile and he was nicknamed "Père Pinot". This variety now represents 70% of the Drappier and Aube vineyards. History has proven the scoffers wrong. After the historic frost of 1957 (95% of the harvest destroyed), André Drappier introduced Pinot Meunier, which is more resistant to the cold of spring. In 1968, Micheline had the idea of a Rosé Champagne. It would be 100% Pinot Noir. Fifty years later, the Drappier Rosé de Saignée is a real success and has led to the Elysée Palace.

Since 1979, Michel Drappier has been in charge of the vinifications while André, with his 74 harvests, keeps a watchful eye on the vineyard, which today covers more than a thousand "hommées" (62 ha) on the property and 50 ha under associated contracts. Since 2016, Michel and his wife Sylvie have been joined by the eighth generation of the Drappier family: Charline (marketing), Hugo (viticulture and oenology) and Antoine, who with his draught horse cultivates part of the vineyard organically. Vegetable garden, orchards and farmyard are now part of the complementary activities of the Drappier house, which is now "Carbon Neutral" accredited.

In 1988, deep cellars dug into the Reims chalk under Napoleon III joined the family estate. In these cool galleries, the most precious bottles sleep, in particular those of the Grande Sendrée.