OLIVIER HORIOT

The Domaine Olivier Horiot consists of 8.5 hectares of vineyards in the southernmost part of the Champagne region—Côtes de Bar, and, more precisely, the Riceys village. It is the only location in France that boasts three appellations of controlled origin (AOC). The most famous is certainly Champagne, but there are two lesser-known, but historically significant ones, destined for still wines — Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys. Olivier and Marie organically produce all three styles, applying biodynamic principles. When Olivier took over the winery from his father in 1999, he immediately knew what kind of wines he wanted to make. Focused on terroir and individual vineyards, he reduced yields and decided to bottle wines from only two hectares of the best positions that are abundant in Kimmeridgian soil, as well as rich in marine fossils and minerals that bestow the wine with its salty minerality, elegance, and harmony. They sell their surplus grapes to cooperatives. Their vineyards, although mostly planted with Pinot Noir, are specific because they grow all seven varieties allowed in the Champagne appellation—Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Although champagnes are much more famous and profitable than the production of still wines in their region, this winery continues the tradition of producing high-quality rosés and red wines worth mentioning.