Terroir, Tradition, and a Legacy of Organics in Cumières

In the sun-drenched slopes of Cumières, a south-facing village in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, Vincent Lavalcrafts Champagne that reflects both place and principle. His 3.4-hectare estate includes some of the village’s most revered vineyards—Les Chênes, Les Hautes Chèvres, and Les Longues Violes—each a living expression of Cumières’ rich terroir.

Vincent produces a range of cuvées that speak directly to their origins. The "Cumières" blend is made from fruit across all his plots, offering a snapshot of the estate’s signature style. Alongside it are single-vineyard bottlings—Les Chênes, Les Hautes Chèvres, and Les Longues Violes—each one vinified separately to highlight the individuality of site and soil. He also crafts "Les Garennes", a Champagne from a réserve perpétuelle with gentle dosage, offering a unique take on blending and aging.

A Family Tradition of Organic Pioneering

Vincent’s winemaking roots run deep. His father, Georges Laval, made headlines in 1971 when he transitioned the estate to organic viticulture—at a time when fewer than ten producers in Champagne had embraced such practices. Georges was inspired to act after learning that pesticide traces had been found in Arctic ice, underscoring the global consequences of chemical agriculture. His response was radical for the time: eliminate all synthetic inputs and let nature guide the way.

Vincent joined the estate and took full leadership in 1996, carrying forward this uncompromising vision. For him, organic farming is not a trend—it’s a necessity. By nurturing soil life and vine health, he ensures that each bottle expresses the purest aromas and textures of their origin.

Craftsmanship at Every Step

With just three team members, Vincent farms his vines and produces around 9,000 bottles annually—each one the result of hands-on, meticulous work. The team prunes entirely by hand to avoid compacting the soil with tractors, and every bottle is handled over 50 times from vinification to final packaging. This level of care is rare—and central to the Laval philosophy of respecting both vine and wine.

Sustainability and Protection Beyond the Vines

Vincent’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond his own parcels. In response to the threat of pesticide drift from neighboring vineyards, he’s taken protective steps—treating buffer plots, consolidating vineyard boundaries, and working with the CIVC (Comité Champagne) to ensure that aerial spraying stays at least 15 meters away from his organic vines.

A Living Legacy

Today, Vincent Laval’s estate stands as a benchmark in Champagne for transparency, purity, and sustainable viticulture. His wines are both soulful and precise—crafted with care, guided by nature, and rooted in a deep familial legacy. In every glass, there is a story of land, labor, and love—preserved for future generations.

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