Growth spurt for Maison Champy

Maison Champy, Burgundy’s oldest négociant, is extending its own vineyard area by almost a third with the acquisition of Domaine Laleure-Piot. Due to be finalised in the next few weeks, the purchase of the 10 hectare property brings Champy’s total holding to 37 hectares.

Based in Pernand-Vergelesses, Laleure-Piot offers Champy a rare opportunity to acquire further premier cru sites in the Côtes de Beaune, as well as expanding its presence in the nearby grand cru vineyards of Corton-Charlemagne.

“This section of Pernand is more and more our speciality”, said Pierre Meurgey, director of Maison Champy, who has owned the house with his father Henri since 1990.

In order not to miss out on this chance to expand Champy’s presence in what he refers to as its “flagship” appellation, Meurgey outlined the process which, after more than a year, is now close to completion.

“We have been organising partners to buy the land and allow us a long-term lease. We have bought the winery and the domaine brand,” he explained.

Up to and including the 2009 vintage, Champy will keep its two estates separate until it has been able to take control of production at Laleure-Piot.

After this point, Meurgey plans to incorporate most of these new vineyards into the Champy name, although he is keen to preserve the heritage of Laleure-Piot by producing a small amount of wine under its own reserve domaine label.

However, for Meurgey the first step is to begin converting his new property to Champy’s organic and biodynamic methods. While a few parcels will need to be replaced, Meurgey believes the need to replant will be reduced in many cases by this change in approach.

“When you introduce biodynamism into a vineyard, it gives the vines a second youth”, he said. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the detox will take time, adding: “We have experienced that it always takes at least two years before you really see an impact on the quality of the grapes and a difference in the soil.”

Once the green transition is in full swing, Meurgey lists a number of secondary changes he plans to implement across his new acquisition. “I would like to try things in the élevage to improve the wines,” he revealed, adding that “later bottling for some of the reds and finer parcel management” are also on his busy to-do list.

Gabriel Savage, 14.01.10