Emilien FENEUIL

Emilien Feneuil... ah Emilien !... it's a story, a feeling, a moment where time stops and during which we listen to Emilien talking about nature, biodiversity, trees (those in his vineyards, which came naturally, and the others), soils, soils, soils... a very sensitive and endearing person, our Emilien !

Émilien Feneuil: a meteoric rise

At the time of writing (March 2021), Emilien Feneuil has just released his second vintage, the 2016. Yes, only his second vintage! Although it all started 15 years ago! This means that time takes its time. In 2006, he took over the property - smaller than today. The grapes were sold with the other vegetables. At first, Emilien continued with this conventional approach. But in 2008, he attended a meeting on organic farming and saw a whole bunch of producers questioning their practices. This inspired him: it was year 1 of the organic conversion. At the same time, he studied the biodynamic movement, geology and agroforestry in detail, no less! Repairing the soil, always the soil.
How to avoid doing harm becomes the question and a beautiful questioning.

After many years in Biodynamics, Emilien now works differently, with his own approach, his own intuitions. He "plays" in his garden with essential oils, clay, herbal teas, honey and the MINIMUM amount of sulphur and copper!

Émilien Feneuil's champagnes

Until 2019, he still sells a few grapes. 2020, the first year he keeps everything because he has a press! 2019 and 2020, Emilien markets his first vintage, the 2015.

To date, Winery Émilien Feneuil has 17 plots of land with a total surface area of 2.35 ha, with 4 grape varieties: pinot meunier (40%), chardonnay (25%), pinot noir (22%) and petit meslier (the remaining 7%); all of which are located in three villages (Sermiers, Chamery and Écueil). A production of 4,000 bottles of champagne and côteaux champenois, all organic: ECOCERT certification.

Organic wines that are anything but classic

There are a few of us who say and acknowledge that these organic wines need time and patience. One should not rush into drinking them. Here, there is no tasting technique, no "classic" analysis... you have to go with your sensibility, your desire, and walk in a garden and return to it over several days. Not only do Emilien Feneuil's wines hold up, but they end up living in you.

We conclude with the words of Emilien: " Never enough diversity and sweetness, wherever there is room"These are his words that I was quick to write down. They sum up perfectly the singular character and his incredible talent.