Champagne Lacroix

Champagne house in Châtillon-sur-Marne, Vallée de la Marne.

Village: Châtillon-sur-Marne
Region: Vallée de la Marne
Founded: 1968
Cuvées in the guide: 8

Champagne‌ Lacroix is an independent champagne house based in Montigny-sous-Châtillon (municipality of Châtillon-sur-Marne), founded in 1968 by Jean Lacroix, who sold the first bottles in 1974. Today the estate is run by the third generation, Anthony and Céline Lacroix, who are modernising the business with a new vat room and tasting room while remaining true to traditional craft values.

The estate has 10 to 10.5 hectares of vineyard spread over 8 municipalities in the Vallée de la Marne (on the right bank). The grape composition is roughly 70% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. The business has been certified Vigneron Indépendant (for more than 45 years) and has held HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification since 2019.

In winemaking, a third of the wines are vinified and aged in oak barrels (foudres), which contributes to complexity. The house uses both traditional pressings and modern techniques, and emphasises authenticity and the entire process from vineyard to bottle.

The range includes various cuvées, including:

Cuvée Tradition: Brut, based on black grapes.
Cuvée Anthony: Blanc de Noirs (white from black grapes).
Authentique: Extra Brut.
Grande Réserve: Performance cuvée with floral notes.
Excellence: Blanc de Blancs.
Millésimé: For example the 2018 vintage.
Rosé: Made by blending black grapes.
Ratafia Champenois: A liqueur-like speciality.

Visitors can visit the estate for tastings and walks by appointment (weekends, public holidays and weekdays at specific hours), where the traditional 4,000 kg coquard press is also shown.