Les Monts Fournois is the new venture launched in 2022 by Juliette Lips and her cousins Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche in the northern part of the Montagne de Reims, on La Grande Montagne (literally, the big mountain).
The vines are leased and form a single eight-hectare parcel, of which 4.5 hectares are currently farmed by Juliette Lips on a rather exceptional terroir. Fully south-facing and well ventilated, the site rests on pure chalk subsoil, with only 10 to 15 centimetres of topsoil before reaching the chalk. The plant material is of equally high quality, comprising rigorous selections of the finest old vines of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The vineyard is managed according to sustainable principles, without herbicides and with limited treatments. The soils are cultivated beneath the vine rows, while the mid-rows are maintained under natural grass cover. Once harvested, the grapes travel only a few metres across the road to reach the press.
Vinification is conducted unhurriedly. Pressing is traditional and gentle, with careful attention paid to pressure stages. Fermentation relies exclusively on native yeasts in 450- and 600-litre casks, around 40% of which are new. Secondary fermentation takes place under cork for all cuvées. Sulphur use is limited and applied only to the must. Ageing on fine lees lasts five to six years, extending to seven or eight years for the rosé.
In time, Domaine des Monts Fournois will produce a non-vintage brut, a vintage white dominated by Chardonnay, a vintage rosé with a majority of Pinot Noir, as well as Coteaux Champenois white and red wines, the latter already available in both colours. The Champagnes are expected to be released from 2027 or 2028 onwards.
Alongside its own production, which showcases the singular terroir of Les Monts Fournois, the estate has also taken over part of the Bérêche family’s wine merchant activity through the Côte, Vallée and Montagne collection. This haute couture selection of Champagnes, sourced exclusively from Grands and Premiers Crus and currently ageing, has been conceived to highlight the individual character of Champagne’s great terroirs.
Whether from the estate holdings or the wine merchant arm, the wines already tasted – including the Coteaux Champenois and base wines – show striking quality. Les Monts Fournois is full of promises and definitely one to keep on your radar!