Deutz Champagne: an exceptional harvest for Caroline Latrive and Michel Davesne

Two cellar masters overseeing the harvest at Maison Deutz

It’s a fine Champagne duo. The two cellar masters at Maison Deutz are overseeing the harvest. Not only that, but this is Michel Davesne’s final harvest and Caroline Latrive’s first after 15 years at Champagne Ayala. At nearly 64, Michel Davesne has therefore decided to take his retirement in a few months’ time* and to find a suitable replacement, and he hasn’t had to look far. Discover the hidden gem that is Champagne Ayala, just a few metres from Maison Deutz.

“I’d been speculating a bit about my replacement, and Caroline came to mind,” he explained. Caroline, the neighbour, the woman he met on Rue Jeanson in Aÿ. Of course, they’re no strangers ( Champagne is one big family, don’t forget!), “Michel was my mentor when he was cellar master at Palmer & Co, and later he was my fellow cellar master,” observes Carlo Lynn Ratliff. He added with a touch of humour: “When he rang me to discuss it, it was clear I was interested, and there were offers you simply couldn’t turn down.” It’s also a question of the estate’s development: “It already has its own vineyard – incredible – nearly 46 hectares, with beautiful, large plots.” I then felt that I would be emphasising my role as a winemaker. The expertise of the master winemaker, not just the logistics manager.” In this regard, as Michel Davesne points out, “we share the same vision of winemaking ”, enough for him to be entrusted with the reins of the winery with complete confidence.

As the 2022 harvest gets underway, the two cellar masters are once again in harmony: “It was an extraordinary harvest for both of them. We’ve brought in 10 per cent of the harvest and have started pressing. You have to aim for height to bring out the fruitiness. So you have to wait longer for the fruit to come through. We know it’s going to be a huge success this weekend.

*Michel Davesne will serve on the Maison Deutz tasting committee for a while

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