Domaine Francis Orban

Leuvrigny | Champagne

Leopold Orban, winemaker Francis Orban’s great-grandfather, was one of the first recoltant-manipulants in the small village of Leuvrigny.

From a very early age, Francis knew he’d follow in the family tradition of tending Pinot Meunier vines on the sandy, clay-rich soils of the Marne Valley. Indeed, after finishing his enological studies at the ripe age of 19, he joined the family business, imbued with a generations-deep passion for making pure Pinot Meunier wines.

Too long seen as “just” a blending grape in other Champagne regions, Pinot Meunier has pride of place in the Marne Valley. Nearly 90% of Francis’ vineyards are dedicated to this singular grape, as it is here where Pinot Meunier reaches its full potential.

Above all, when allowed to shine as a single-varietal Champagne, Pinot Meunier delivers a vinous wine full of fresh fruit and lightly spiced with notes of vanilla and pepper. Full-bodied, vivacious and pure, it is a Champagne for true gourmands, who appreciate its flexibility at the table.

Crucially, Francis adds some 50% reserve wine from recent vintages to his non-vintage Champagnes, for wines of incredible character and flavorful depth.

FARMING & WINEMAKING

Francis Orban (as a grower Champagne producer, or récoltant-manipulant) tends some 18 acres of south-facing vines in and around the villages of Leuvrigny and Sainte-Gemme.

Soils are rich in sand and clay—different terroir than the chalky soils found around the Montagne de Reims or in the Côte de Blancs—a mix that suits Pinot Meunier vines well, and explains why the Marne Valley is the centerpoint of Meunier production.

Some 90% of family vineyards are planted to Pinot Meunier, with the rest dedicated to Chardonnay. Vines are on average between 30 and 40 years old.

Vineyards are cared for sustainably, and grapes harvested by hand. Grapes are pressed gently and fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Francis adds some 50% of reserve wines to his non-vintage Champagnes, for wines of impressive depth, character and length.

WHITE WINES

Extra Brut

This racy and fruity, pure Pinot Meunier Champagne showcases this noble grape in all its glory! A generous addition of reserve wine gives the wine wonderful depth and character. Aged for three years, with just 3 grams/L dosage.

Download fact sheet (PDF)

Brut Millésime

A beautiful and refined Champagne with Chardonnay in the driving seat, complemented by the spicy energy of Pinot Meunier. Aged for a minimum of five years, with low dosage.

Download fact sheet (2015 vintage) (PDF)
Download fact sheet (2016 vintage) (PDF)
Download fact sheet (2018 vintage) (PDF)

Brut Cuvée Parcellaire 'Les Hauts Beugnets'

Winemaker Francis Orban spent years analyzing both the soils and vines in his familly’s vineyards to select three special parcels for a new line of single-vineyard Champagnes. His first release is ‘Les Hauts Beugnets,’ a pure Pinot Meunier wine from his home village of Leuvrigny. Fermented in French oak barrels and aged for seven years in bottle under cork, ‘Les Hauts Beugnets’ is soulful and seductive, wonderfully fresh and refined. This is great Meunier! Only 1,500 bottles produced.

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Brut Cuvée Parcellaire 'Les Malaquais'

Generations of know-how are packed into winemaker Francis Orban’s thrilling single-vineyard selections from the Marne Valley. Here ‘Les Malaquais,’ a vineyard dedicated to old-vine Chardonnay, taps into the mineral-rich terroir of Leuvrigny for a richly compelling and savory grower Champagne. Waves of confit citrus and red berries, light toast and spice.

Download fact sheet (PDF)

ROSÉ WINES

Extra Brut Rosé

This glorious, 100% Pinot Meunier Extra Brut Champagne is to die for. Ripe yet racy, spiced and sublime — a delicious example of just how food-friendly great Meunier Champagne can be! Made for the table, with its very low 3 grams of dosage, it can pair with just about anything. Yet another perfect Champagne from the excellent cellars at Domaine Francis Orban.

Download fact sheet (PDF)

Brut Rosé

This wonderful, 100% Pinot Meunier rosé checks all the boxes: vibrantly aromatic, deeply flavored, decadently long. Like with his Extra Brut, winemaker Francis Orban adds 50% reserve wine to this lovely rose-colored Champagne (plus still red Pinot Meunier wine for color) for added depth and complexity. If you haven’t yet fallen in love with Pinot Meunier, this sultry bottle will have you head over heels.