Champagne Marguet: A Grand Cru Legacy in Ambonnay

Champagne Marguet is located in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay, with roots dating back to 1870. Today, Benoît Marguet, the 5th generation of the Marguet family, manages the estate. The domaine has 8 hectares of vines, all in Grand Cru vineyards. This includes 7.30 hectares in Ambonnay (notable sites like Les Saints Remys, Les Beurys, Les Crayères, and more) and 0.70 hectares in Bouzy (Les Loges and Les Hannepes). The vines average over 40 years old and are split between 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay.

Biodynamic Practices Since 2009

Benoît Marguet converted the estate to biodynamic farming in 2009. He also integrated aromatherapy to support the health of the vines. To further improve soil quality, Marguet brought in French agronomists Claude and Lydia Bourguignon, specialists in soil microbiology. Since 2010, all vineyard work has been done manually, with the help of two resident horses.

Natural Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, gravity is used for all wine transfers. Each vineyard plot is fermented separately in wooden vats and small barrels. The wines are aged on their lees for extended periods. No sugar is added during winemaking, and sulfite use is minimal or entirely absent. All the cuvées are Grand Cru or single-vineyard (lieu-dit) wines. These Champagnes are known for their complexity, rich layers, and a touch of oxidative character—perfect for true Champagne enthusiasts.

Sapience Project: A Premier Cru Collaboration

Champagne Marguet is also responsible for vinifying the prestigious Sapience project, a collaboration between four biodynamic Champagne growers: Benoît Marguet, Benoît Lahaye, Vincent Laval, and David Leclapart. Sapience is made using biodynamic methods, with Chardonnay from Leclapart, Pinot Meunier from Laval, and Pinot Noir from Lahaye. The wine is aged for two years in selected barrels before bottle fermentation. It is released nine years after harvest, with just 3,000 bottles produced per vintage.

Benoît Marguet: A Leading Natural Winemaker

Benoît Marguet is widely regarded as a leading figure in natural winemaking in Champagne. He follows in the footsteps of Lalou-Bize Leroy, whom he considers his role model.