Champagne Augustin is Emmanuelle and Marc Augustin. Between them they represent nine generations of winemakers. Now, with 2 sons of their own, they run Marc’s family estate located in Avenay-Val-d’Or in the slope above famed Mareuil-sur-Aÿ.

They grow both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, though the majority of their cuvées are dominated by Pinot Noir. Since 2012 they have been farming organically with a full force switch to biodynamics in 2013. Every aspect of their winery follows biodynamic and holistic practices. The winery was built while adhering to biodynamic principles, the vines, cultivated by Emmanuelle, are grown with cover crops utilizing biodynamic preparations.

The vines are not pruned in Spring but braided so as not to hurt the living plant. Harvest is of course by hand and happens following the lunar cycle on a Flower day, deemed the best day for harvest.

Marc, responsible in the cellar, crafting the wines, a term he prefers, has created a philosophy called coeurviculture which means following the heart and being attentive to nature. Marc and Emmanuelle’s belief that the vine and the resulting wine they craft is a living organism truly permeates every aspect of their domaine.

Following these principles of harmony, their extraordinary Champagnes, named after the elements: Terre (Earth), Aire (Air), Feu (Fire) are balanced and nuanced, their complexity making them truly gastronomical as well as celebratory.

A lot of thought and work goes into the selection of the appropriate vessel for each of these cuvées, always with the goal to express the element at its best. A clay amphora from Georgia that rests in dirt is where the Terre is made, while the Aire is produced in Italian amphora and just from Chardonnay.

Even the architecture and decor of the cellar are a representation of the elements that are to influence the wines’ development.

It quickly becomes clear that Marc and Emanuelle treat their wines as living beings, creations that need to be treated with respect and love to see them blossom into their very best. Marc is quick to admit that his ideas are not for everyone, and even within the family his enthusiasm for the more esoteric ideas of Biodyamie has at times been met with raised eyebrows. But what is clear when you see Mark and Emanuelle’s work and process, is that these wines are treated with the utmost attention to detail and nature and with an approach that always seeks the natural over the artificial and the organically grown over the manipulated.

If a wine is the sum of many decisions, in the case of a good Champagne of many hundreds of decisions made on a daily basis over the course of many years, then Augustin wines have certainly received the most protected and loving upbringing we have ever seen at any winery.

This Cuvée CXVI is the result of 100% Chardonnay from old vineyards of a Premier Cru in Avenay Val d’Or in the Vallée de la Marne. Biodynamic viticulture without the use of pesticides and in harmony with the phases of the moon, the alcoholic fermentation is spontaneous with the use of unfiltered indigenous yeasts with maturation on lees for 11 months in Kvevri, a container egg-shaped clay. No added dosage and no added sulphites. Cuvée CXVI or Cuvée 116 takes its name from the number 16 of the periodic table of elements which corresponds to Sulfur and from a play on words in the French language: “cent seize” (116) and “sans seize” (without 16) are pronounced same way; hence cent/sans soufre or sulphur-free.

Product made from 100% Chardonnay from all estate fruit that is biodynamically farmed and picked in tandem with the lunar cycle. No sulphur added. Disgorged 22 months after harvest. Dosage only at disgorgement. As always husband and wife team Marc and Emmanuelle craft their signature champagnes to reflect harmonious balance with the four elements of nature: earth, fire, air and water. This Blanc de Blanc is intended to be the apogee of all four.

A Blanc de Blancs with fresh notes of apple and pear and a mineral palate accompanied by a tantalizing acidity. The sip is authentic, pure, the apotheosis in its declination.