Champagne André Roger
Alexis Roger founded the estate and began making wine in 1876. At the beginning of the twentieth century, his enterprising grandson Henri purchased the first press, a still for distillation and had installed electricity. Horses were employed in the vineyards for decades until 1960, when André Roger (for whom the estate is today named), replaced them when he purchased their first tractor.Generations have followed each other, dividing up the plots between successive inheritances. Today's proprietors Marie-Hélène and Jean-Pol have found the right balance between tradition and modernity to produce and sell their own bottles, sold both in France and to foreign markets.Ay is located in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, on white chalk soil with belemnite fossils, or on calcareous and sedimentary soils. Most of the André Roger vineyards are listed as Grand Cru 100%. The total area is 5.5 hectares (14 acres), spread over 19 plots with vines ranging in ages from 10 to 45 years. The vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir for 4.6 hectares (11.5 acres) and with Chardonnay for 0.9 hectares (2.25 acres). The average yields depend on the varietals, the plots and the years, between 45 and 65 hectolitres per hectare.