Champagne Éric Rodez

Champagne Éric Rodez is a family-owned grower-producer estate in Ambonnay, one of Champagne's Grand Cru villages on the Montagne de Reims. The family's winemaking history traces back to 1757, and Eric Rodez represents the eighth generation to steward the domaine. After training at Krug and gaining experience in Burgundy, he assumed management of the estate between 1982 and 1984. Those formative experiences, particularly the influence of oak aging and terroir focus he encountered at Krug, shaped the philosophy that defines Rodez's wines today.

• Based in Ambonnay Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims
• Family winemaking heritage dating to 1757
• Trained at Krug; took over estate management in 1982-1984
• Eric Rodez served as Mayor of Ambonnay from 2008 to 2014

The estate covers 6 hectares divided across 35 to 36 individual vineyard plots, all farmed organically and biodynamically. Situated at around 130 meters elevation, the vineyards sit on clay-limestone soils over a chalky subsoil, typical of the Montagne de Reims. Conversion to organic and biodynamic farming began in 2009, and the estate became the first French agricultural domaine to earn Haute Valeur Environmentale certification in 2012. Vineyard treatments include aromatherapy and essential oils, reflecting a holistic, nature-driven approach to viticulture.

• 6 hectares across 35-36 plots; clay-limestone soils with chalky subsoil
• Elevation of approximately 130 meters in Ambonnay
• Biodynamic farming since 2009; HVE certification in 2012 as first French agricultural domaine
• Pinot Noir planted at 55-62% of the estate, Chardonnay at 38-45%

Eric Rodez favors a hands-on, interventionist approach that nonetheless serves terroir expression above all. Between 70 and 80 percent of the wines undergo fermentation and aging in small oak barrels, lending texture and complexity without overwhelming the fruit. Malolactic fermentation is selectively blocked in certain cuvées to preserve acidity and enhance aging potential. Blending is central to the style: final cuvées incorporate 5 to 10 different vintages, and reserve wines span 5 to 10 vintages. The cellar holds the equivalent of 2.6 years of stock drawn from 8 different vintages. Dosage is kept low, with RCGM used in place of sugar.

• 70-80% of wines fermented and aged in small oak barrels
• Blends 5-10 vintages in final cuvées; reserve wines span 5-10 vintages
• Malolactic fermentation selectively blocked to enhance acidity and aging potential
• Light dosage using RCGM rather than sugar

The estate produces approximately 45,000 bottles per year across a focused range of cuvées. Notable releases include the Cuvée des Crayères, a reference point for the house style; the Blanc de Blancs, showcasing the Chardonnay component of the estate; the Blanc de Noirs, expressing the depth of Ambonnay Pinot Noir; and the Cuvée des Grands Vintages, which draws on the estate's deep reserves of aged wine. Each cuvée reflects the multi-vintage blending approach and the commitment to oak-influenced complexity.

• Cuvée des Crayères: signature multi-vintage blend
• Blanc de Blancs: pure Chardonnay expression from Grand Cru fruit
• Blanc de Noirs: showcases Ambonnay Pinot Noir
• Cuvée des Grands Vintages: draws on deep, aged reserve wines