Aurélien Gerbais, 8th generation grower and 4th generation winemaker of Champagne Pierre Gerbais, spearheads this small, artisanal Domaine located in the village of Celles-sur-Ource in the Côte des Bar. Being the southernmost vignoble of the four main growing regions of the Champagne AOC, the Côte des Bar is distinct to the north of Champagne in both history and terroir and, therefore, grape varietals and taste profile. Here, the soil is clay and limestone, which is preferential for Pinot noir growth; in contrast, northern Champagne generally has chalky soils in which Chardonnay and Meunier dominate. In the river valley village of Celles-sur-Ource in particular, Pinot blanc (one of the four ‘rare’ grape varieties of the Champagne AOC) is cultivated due to its resistance to humidity and spring frosts, and it is the precise, original and masterful expression of this heirloom variety that situates Champagne Pierre Gerbais as pioneers of this exciting region.

The House has a total of 20 plots across 17.5ha, composed of 50% Pinot noir, 25% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot blanc. Within the region, the family holds both the greatest share of Pinot blanc, with over 4ha of vines, as well as the oldest Pinot blanc vines, on a plot called Les Proies, planted in 1904.