Champagne Fay Michel
Champagne house in Barzy-sur-Marne, Vallée de la Marne.
- Village
- Barzy-sur-Marne
- Region
- Vallée de la Marne
- Founded
- 1695
- Cuvées in the guide
- 11
Champagne Fay Michel is an independent winegrower (Récoltant-Manipulant) based in Barzy-sur-Marne in the Marne Valley, on the tourist route between Reims and Épernay. The house is a family business and has been producing champagne since 1695, from harvest to blending on its own premises.
History and Location
The Maison Fay Michel has been passed on from father to son for centuries, with a history going back to 1695. The estate lies in the Vallée de la Marne in the Aisne department (02850). The contact details are:
- Address: 21 rue Pasteur, 02850 Barzy-sur-Marne
- Telephone: +33 3 23 70 21 44
- Website: www.champagne-fay.fr
Vineyards and Terroir
The vineyards are part of the AOC Champagne and include the three traditional grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. The terroir is characterised by a degraded oceanic and semi-continental climate. The soil consists of a variety of geological layers, including:
- Limestone from the Bartonian
- Sands from the Thanetian and Cuisian
- Loamy earth from the Sparnacian
- Marls from the Lutetian
The estate practises conventional viticulture.
Method
Fay Michel follows the champagne method for vinification. The grapes are pressed and the must is fermented in thermostatically controlled stainless steel cuves. For the white cuvées malolactic fermentation is often applied, followed by filtration without fining. To remove the yeast sediment (disgorgement), the bottle necks are frozen to about -20°C. Riddling (turning the bottles) is done mechanically using gyropalettes, but also by hand on pupitres for specific cuvées. The champagne ages for at least one year on the lees (three years for vintages).
Champagnes and Prices
The range includes various cuvées that are regularly awarded:
- Cuvée Sélection d'Antan: Made from the best vineyards.
- Cuvée Grande Réserve: First prize in the Hachette Guide.
- Cuvée Gourmandise: A Blanc de Blancs that combines freshness and elegance.
- Cuvée Spéciale (Blanc de Blancs): Won Gold at FEMINALISE 2025.
- Cuvée de la Libération 45: A Blanc de Blancs millésime 2019 with floral notes.
- 3 Cépages Millésime 2015/2019: Won Gold at FEMINALISE 2025 and Silver at the Concours International de Lyon 2022.
- Cuvée Alexandre 2017: A high-quality cuvée.
- Extra Brut Pur Meunier: Won Gold at FEMINALISE and Double Gold at Gilbert & Gaillard 2023.
- Rosé Grande Réserve: Won Gold at FEMINALISE.
- Éclat de Rose: Chosen as a "Coup de Cœur" in the Hachette Guide 2022.
In addition, the house also produces Ratafia (Chardonnay and Meunier) and Très Vieux Marc de Champagne.
Visitor Information
Visitors can get a tour of the cellar, the plot and the vineyards by appointment.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00 (some sources also mention Saturday morning).
- Languages: French and German are spoken.
- Environment: The estate has a high environmental standard.
Cuvées by Fay Michel
All producers in the interactive guide · All Champagne houses