Emilien FENEUIL

Emilien Feneuil…ah, Emilien!… he’s a story, a sensation, a moment when time stands still and you listen to Emilien talk about nature, biodiversity, trees (the ones in his vineyards—which grew there naturally—and the others), the soil, the soil, the soil… our Emilien is such a highly sensitive and utterly endearing person!

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 of practicing biodynamic farming, Emilien now works differently, using his own approach and his own intuition. He “plays” in his garden with essential oils, clay, herbal teas, honey, and the MINIMUM amount of sulfur 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.

The Winery FeneuilWinery currently comprises 17 plots covering a total area of 2.35 hectares, with four grape varieties: Pinot Meunier (40%), Chardonnay (25%), Pinot Noir (22%), and Petit Meslier (the remaining 7%); all located across three villages (Sermiers, Chamery, and Écueil). The estate produces 4,000 bottles of Champagne and Côteaux Champenois, all organic and ECOCERT-certified.

Organic wines that are anything but classic

There are a few of us who say and acknowledge that his organic wines require time and patience. You shouldn’t rush into them and drink them right away. Here, there’s no tasting technique, no “traditional” analysis… you have to approach them with your intuition and enthusiasm, like strolling through a garden and returning to it over the course of several days. Not only do Emilien Feneuil’s wines stand the test of time, but they eventually become a part of you.

We’ll conclude with Emilien’s words: “ There can never be enough diversity and kindness, wherever there’s room ”—those are his words, which I hastened to jot down. They perfectly sum up this unique individual and his incredible talent.