La maison Our history
The winery created by Julien LACUISSE and his sons has developed considerably over the years.
Although we have found evidence that vines were present on our land as far back as the year 850, it was at the beginning of the 20th Century that the LACUISSE family started winemaking operations here.
The estate now covers over 17 hectares, spread over the “Premier Cru” slopes within the limits of the village of Sermiers, right at the heart of the Montagne de Reims.
Here are some historical documents concerning our vineyard:
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF FRANCE
The Discourse on sea shells found on dry land, particularly in Champagne, is probably the first description of marine Lutetian fossils (45 million years) found at NOGENT SERMIERS in our Cosson farm.
PRESENCE OF THE VINE IN 1630
“Two good leagues from the town of Rheims in Champagne there is a castle called Causson, between fairly good vines…”
GIANT CERITHS UNDER OUR VINES
“Shells that pass the length & thickness of a man’s arm, made in pyramids, marked & as if armed with points & knots on the outside, smooth & polished, but filled with sand inside.”
WORK OF THE FRENCH COMMITTEE FOR THE HISTORY OF GEOLOGY – Third series – T.XVIII (2004) (Excerpts)
THE COSSON FARM IN 1786
On the map below, you can locate, at the top, in the middle, the Ferme du COSSON and all around the plots of COSSON, PRE de REIMS, GILLEMANDES, QUARTIERS, PRESLES on which our vines are currently located.
Terroir of Sermiers
This unique terroir is an integral part of Champagne country, which enjoys a unique combination of a highly specific climate and exceptional subsoil.
The far northerly position of the estate means that it can be put to the test by harsh climate conditions – the continental element of the Champagne climate gives cold winters and its oceanic element means that we can have wet weather throughout the year. Frosts can be treacherous for the vines. However, despite these frosts, the seasons are not strongly remarkable and the temperature variations are reasonable.
Our subsoil is the result of a long geological process which started 100 million years ago when sediment formed on the bed of the sea which covered the Champagne country at the time. In time, the Parisian depression collapsed, pushing the sediments up to the surface where they lie today.
This sediment, rich in limestone, is a valuable asset for the vines which draw from this natural irrigation all year long.
At Sermiers, our soil consists mainly of marl, clay and siliceous sandstone. This differs from other parts of the area and give it its typicality.
It is thanks to this clay and siliceous sandstone that our Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier varieties express all their taste and aromas. Our vineyards consist of 70% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay.
Respecting this exceptional heritage that nature has left us over the last 90 million years, we have planted our vines in the vales and on the slopes with the best exposure.
Every year, we dedicate all our knowledge and skills to bringing out the best of our vineyards’ renowned authenticity and typicality.