Winery · Cumières

Champagne Georges Laval

In Cumières since 1694, the Lavals converted to organic viticulture in 1971—one of Champagne's first pioneers. They produce just 10,000 bottles yearly in a traditional Coquard press.

What to do there

TourGeorges Laval: Where Cousteau Changed ChampagneIn 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.

Wineries nearby

Winery · Champagne Dom Pérignon The house that made sparkle famous: Dom Pérignon, the Benedictine monk, perfected second-fermentation in the bottle here in 1668.
Winery · Épernay Moët & Chandon Since 1743, the 28-kilometer maze of underground chalky cellars beneath Épernay holds the world's favorite Champagne—Napoleon's choice, still sourced from the same terroir that inspired emperors.
Winery · Épernay Pol Roger Founded 1849 by Pol Roger himself (first wines 1853), the house favored brut Champagne for English tastes—Winston Churchill's daily choice since 1908, even naming racehorses "Pol Roger," now sixth-generation family-run producing 110,000 cases yearly.