Georges Laval: Where Cousteau Changed Champagne

In 1971, Jacques Cousteau released a documentary showing pesticides poisoning French rivers. The next day, Georges Laval went organic - the FIRST in Champagne. His grandson Vincent still farms 2.5 hectares with zero chemicals, indigenous yeasts, and a hand-cranked Coquard press from 1920. The wines? Allocations only. But visits? Possible if you ask.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Contact Vincent Laval in Advance Wine · Free

   Vincent Laval runs 2.5 hectares with his partner, avoiding tourist crowds in favor of small groups by arrangement only. Email 2-3 weeks ahead via champagne-laval.com (contact form), explaining you understand the Cousteau story and want to learn about their organic journey: "I'm researching organic champagne pioneers. May I visit?"

   Backup: If no reply, visit Cumières village anyway - local bars sometimes have Laval wines by the glass.

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2. 2 See the 1920 Coquard Press History · Price: moderate

   A traditional wooden Coquard press from 1920 still cranks by hand in the Georges Laval cellar in Cumières — the kind Champagne houses abandoned for hydraulics decades ago. Vincent still uses it because gentler pressing equals finer juice, making this champagne archaeology in action. Ask specifically about the press; most producers tossed theirs, but this one works because Laval never saw reason to change.

   Backup: Even if you can't visit, search YouTube for "Coquard press champagne" to understand the difference.

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3. 3 Taste the Terroir Without Makeup Wine · Price: moderate

   These champagnes ferment with indigenous yeasts only — no commercial strains, no malolactic, no dosage (or minimal) — so you're tasting pure terroir without makeup. Try "Les Chênes" (old vine cuvée) and "Cumières" (village expression) in the Laval cellar or local Cumières restaurant, noticing the texture, quietness, and precision compared to standard champagne.

   Backup: Paris wine bars like Le Verre Volé sometimes have Laval - ask.

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4. 4 Walk the Cumières Vineyards Adventure · Free · Optional

   Organic vines look DIFFERENT — more weeds, more insects, more chaos, but also more life scattered across Laval's 7 parcels on Cumières village hillsides. Walk the paths behind the village where the soil is visible, not dead and compacted, and organic plots become obvious once you know what to look for compared to conventional neighbors.

   Backup: Any organic vineyard visit teaches this lesson - Chartogne-Taillet or Laherte are alternatives.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Georges Laval was inspired by Jacques Cousteau's 1971 documentary on pesticides

• Vincent is the third generation - he and partner manage 2.5 hectares

• No commercial yeasts since 1971 - wild fermentation only

• The Coquard press is from 1920 - hand-cranked, gentle extraction

• Allocations only in most markets - visit is your best chance to buy

• Cumières is bikeable from Épernay (8km) - combine with Hautvillers