Elise Bougy: Revitalizing Champagne’s Terroir with Passion and Precision

Nestled in the village of Les Mesneux in Montagne de Reims, winemaker and oenologist Elise Bougy is redefining Champagne through a deep respect for biodiversity and terroir. After studying in Dijon, she returned to her native region in 2016 to take over her family’s small estate, driven by a vision to restore harmony to the land.

Her vineyards span from Les Mesneux to the prestigious Grand Cru of Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Over the past five years, Elise has worked diligently to convert the estate to organic viticulture, integrating biodynamic practices since 2021. In 2023, she proudly obtained organic certification, marking a significant milestone in her commitment to sustainable winemaking.

Elise bough at La Dive 2025
 

A key highlight of her latest releases is Les Coullemets, a vineyard in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger with pure chalk soils that enhance the minerality and tension typical of this Grand Cru terroir. This cherished plot, once owned by her grandmother, Marie-Louise Moriset, remains a cornerstone of her family’s legacy.

Further expanding her portfolio, Elise introduces Hors-Norme Vibration, a collection dedicated to expressing the essence of her most iconic parcels, Le Mont-Chainqueux and Chétillon de Haut. Crafted from the finest 2018 vintage grapes, these wines age for nearly four years on lees, followed by a minimum of six months in bottle post-disgorgement. Each bottle features a hand-painted label, symbolizing the uniqueness and rarity of the cuvée.

Elise Bougy’s winemaking philosophy embraces minimal intervention—fermentations with ambient yeasts, full malolactic conversion, and aging in wooden tanks, stainless steel, and barrels. Her wines are unfiltered, unfined, and contain little to no added sulfur, preserving their purity and expression of place.

Estate Snapshot

  • Location: Les Mesneux, Montagne de Reims, Champagne

  • Vineyard Size: 3.0 ha (7.41 acres)

  • Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

  • Viticulture: Certified organic (Ecocert, 2022), biodynamic methods since 2021

  • Winemaking: No added SO₂, ambient yeast fermentation, aged in a mix of wooden tanks, stainless steel, and barrels, with extended bottle aging