Country of Origin: France
Location: Chavot, Champagne
People: Christian, Thierry, & Aurélien Laherte, Owners | Aurélien Laherte, Winemaker
Founded in 1889 by Jean-Baptiste Laherte, this family-run estate has been in the Lahertes’ hands for six generations. Today it is run by the Christian and Thierry Laherte (brothers) and Thierry’s son Auriélien. Their 10-hectare estate, 75 parcels, are situated in 3 distinct areas: the southern slopes of Épernay, the Côte des Blancs, and the Marne Valley.
The family highly prizes their vines, many of which have undergone 70 harvests. They work as naturally as possible with biodynamic and sustainable practices: plant infusions to improve natural defense systems, high foliage so that the photosynthesis ensures a nice maturity, and planning the pruning work and treatments on favorable days in order to strengthen the vine stocks. They feel that it is absolutely essential to manage the soil with great care in order to preserve its balance.
The grapes are pressed at the estate in the village of Chavot, with two 4,000-kilo traditional presses. Their techniques aim to preserve as much of the natural qualities of the grapes as possible. With that in mind, they barrel by gravity, allow for slow and spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, stir the lees depending on the characteristics of the wine, and use a low and precise dosage. They focus on single-parcel fermentation so that they can purely transmit the characteristics of the soil and place. They carefully blend to create a unique personality to each wine they produce. The result is wine that truly reflects the nuance of its place and time.
Wine Advocate 11/2013
"Thierry and Christian Laherte represent the second of seven generations of Champagne-growing Lahertes
to domaine-bottle, though theirs is among the significant and increasing number of Champagne
establishments that – despite personally farming all of the vines from which they source – are officially a
“négociant-manipulant,” in this instance because their business is structured for each of the principle
family members to officially sell the fruit from his or her tiny acreage to Laherte Frères. And those
parcels are disparate, numbering 75 spread over ten villages, even though the total Laherte acreage is just
25. Half of these vineyards are farmed biodynamically – notably those most easily accessible from the
Lahertes’ home base of Chavot-Courcourt (immediately south of Epernay), a sector that brings
considerable chalk to bear on Marne clay. Lahertes have done some experimentation with ungrafted vines
and (as a relevant tasting note will testify) with Champagne’s “forgotten” cépages, as well as with a
solera-style blend. Most of their wines see barrel;; whether they “do malo” is determined case-by-case." Media Links
ChampagneNet.com: Laherte Frères
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