Mailly

Mailly Grand Cru is a social winery founded in 1929 and represents one of the oldest cooperative structures in Champagne. The original 24 vignerons had as their common denominator the ownership of plots of land on the territory of the village of Mailly alone, and they transformed from winemakers into producers between 1931 and 1932, starting with the purchase of a plot of land at the entrance to the village. The winery found its place inside a purpose-built building under the direction of President Gabriel Simon, an officer of the Engineers during World War I: an innovative three-level solution allowed them to harness the force of gravity for the various winemaking operations, while they began digging what would become miles of underground tunnels for the Champagnes to rest. Without any financial support, they rented all the necessary technical equipment and stored a quantity of salvaged bottles: the first production of 3,600 bottles found a buyer in toto, which allowed the purchase of several tens of thousands of new bottles for a second tirage. The current Mailly Grand Cru sign is capable today of a production of around half a million bottles per year, 70% of which are exported to 35 countries, and relies on a network of wine merchants and restaurateurs to distribute its wines in France.

Mailly Champagne is a village cited since the 18th century as among the most notable in the region and considered since 1911 with Grand Cru status. The estate covers a total area of 70 hectares, all concentrated within the municipal area and divided into 35 different lieux-dits. The extreme uniqueness of the lieux-dits lies in the exposures oriented towards the four cardinal points, a practically unique case in Champagne: together with the great variety of soils, characterized by various combinations of chalk, limestone, alluvial deposits, marl and silt, it realizes an almost infinite palette of possibilities for the skills of the chef de cave. In this corner of the Montagne de Reims Natural Park, located in the southeastern vicinity of the city, a majority of Pinot Noir is grown, accompanied by 25 percent Chardonnay.

A collection of more than a decade's worth of reserve wines, divided by varietal, parcel and vintage, rests in the Mailly Grand Cru cellar, allowing for a wide variety of blends. A wide variety of materials are used for aging, with oak barrels reserved for the Solera Reserve. Champagnes are elaborated with long stays on the lees, and the range consists of various types, from the classics, through the vintage wines, to the "Artistiques," exclusive cuvées embellished by labels designed by contemporary artists.