Laculle Freres

VICTOR AND EDOUARD LACULLE

Brothers of the Bar

South of the Champagne region lies the Côte des Bar, closer to Chablis than to Reims. Among these villages, traditionally favored by the Grande Marques but now embraced by a new wave of grower-producers, the southern climate and Kimmeridgian soil offer a uniquely expressive terroir. Here we encounter the Laculle brothers, Victor and Edouard, both well-travelled and green-fingered, honing their skills across the globe. Edouard manages the vineyards while Victor oversees operations in the winery and cellar—a perfect partnership.

They acquired selected vineyards from their father to embark on their experimental journey. Our first encounter with Victor and his wife, Richie, was in Reims in April 2022, where we were captivated by their yet-to-be-released wines. Eager to learn more, we traveled to their domain, discovering along the way the considerable distance from Reims and Epernay to the Côte des Bar. Victor and Richie came to our rescue at Troyes train station, offering us the best taxi service in Champagne! We digress!

During our visit, we developed a deep admiration for the Laculle family, both as individuals and as winemakers. Their expressive wines focus on single parcels and varietals, including the rare Pinot Blanc. Victor’s unconventional approach includes aging wines on the lees under cork, rather than the traditional metal cap. We were thrilled to secure an allocation of their inaugural releases in 2023, and each subsequent release has exceeded our expectations.

The Laculle brothers epitomise modern Champagne, blending tradition with innovative techniques to produce wines that are distinctive and exceptional. Their commitment to quality and their unique approach to winemaking continue to set them apart in this dynamic and evolving region.