Billecart-Salmon, founded in 1818 by newlyweds Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, is a Champagne house that has been passed down to the seventh generation, with Mathieu Billecart-Salmon at the helm today. The pristine garden surrounding the main house in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, redesigned in the 1920s, is a point of pride for the family. Still, there is plenty to explore underground, in the vineyards, and the prestigious enclosed “Clos Saint Hilaire,” a one-hectare plot planted solely to Pinot Noir, producing its own Blanc de Noirs cuvée, which epitomizes Billecart-Salmon’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The house hopes to attain certification for 100% of its land by 2025.

Guided tours of the Champagne house last two and a half hours, including visits to the barrel cellars, the chalk cellars where the bottles are aged, and tasting of three wines. The estate covers 100 hectares, with fruit acquired from a broader range of 40 crus, mostly around Epernay. The grapes are dealt with according to their variety and the village they come from, then fermented slowly at low temperatures to ensure delicacy of flavor and nuance.

The Brut Rosé is the most recognizable bottle, and special editions are named after the founders, including the “Cuvée Nicolas François,” sourced from select Grand Cru sites, and the “Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon,” a rich and much-admired blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Billecart-Salmon’s wine style focuses on producing pure sparkling wines true to their terroirs, reflecting the house’s commitment to environmental sustainability and producing the graceful wines for which it is known.