Fleury

Fleury is a listed winery in the Champagne region that was founded relatively recently, precisely in 1985, compared to the historic maisons in the area. But Fleury immediately had a very different approach to the world of champagne, as it was known up to that point. Jean-Pierre, the son of the founder Emile, has interests related to astronomy and, therefore, is interested in and studies the links between heaven and earth; this naturally leads him to approach the studies of Rudolf Steiner, and therefore, to biodynamics which becomes the link between the theory and practice of the most natural agricultural cultivation. After a few years, and precisely in 1989, Fleury became the first winery in Champagne to convert its owned vineyards to biodynamic agriculture, also supported by the certification on the label. According to these precepts, no synthetic chemical substances are used, neither in the vineyard nor in the cellar, instead using particular composts, exploiting the principles of homeopathy, taking care of the alternation of the lunar calendar and leaving free development to the natural biodiversity in the vineyard. In short, a real revolution. Furthermore, Fleury, taking advantage of its apparently disadvantaged geographical position, aims to enhance an area of Champagne, called Côte des Bars or Aube, which has always been little considered. We are in fact much further south than the more famous Epernay and Reims, the recognized capitals of Champagne, and therefore the geological composition of the less chalky and more calcareous soil makes this area more similar to nearby Burgundy. Fleury wants to convey, through its labels, this truly unique and particular territorial typicality. Another uniqueness of the cellar is a technical detail of no secondary importance: the second fermentation (i.e. the creation of bubbles during the refermentation in the bottle takes place in bottles closed with cork rather than with the classic crown cap, called Bidule, which necessarily require disgorging by hand; something truly rare in the whole region! Another noteworthy aspect is the long underground cellar, dug into the rock, which houses dozens of oak barrels where the champagne ages for a long time. In short, the Fleury range represents a interesting alternative, a new interpretation in the production of Champagne, waiting to be discovered!