Egly-Ouriet is an independent, family-run Champagne house based in Ambonnay, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims Grands Crus. Handed down from generation to generation, it has built a unique identity by honoring Pinot Noir and promoting exceptional terroirs. Egly-Ouriet's recognized craftsmanship and uncompromising commitment to champagnes of purity and character have made it a key player on the Champagne scene.
An independent, family-run business, guardian of the terroir
The Egly-Ouriet Champagne House is an independent family institution, run by the same lineage for several generations. Based in Ambonnay, one of the most prestigious villages on the Montagne de Reims, it is now run by Francis Egly, who took over the reins in 1980. Under his leadership, the estate has opted for total independence, producing exclusively estate bottled wines, without recourse to external grape purchases. This approach made Egly-Ouriet one of the pioneers of the "independent winemaker" movement in Champagne. Francis Egly also introduced environmentally-friendly viticultural practices, favoring controlled yields and artisanal vinification, in order to preserve the authentic expression of his terroirs. Today, the house is recognized as one of the leading names in Champagne, notably for the exceptional quality of its Pinot Noir-dominated cuvées, and for its commitment to sustainable viticulture and the production of exceptional champagnes.
The Excellence of Grand Cru Terroirs
Egly-Ouriet draws the essence of its champagnes from exceptional terroirs, mainly located in Ambonnay, one of the most prestigious villages on the Montagne de Reims. The house also extends to the Grand Cru parcels of Bouzy, Verzenay and Verzy, where the chalky-clay soils give the grapes optimum ripeness and a unique minerality. This focus on Grand Crus enables each cuvée to fully express the typicity of its terroir, offering champagnes of rare depth, structure and elegance, true to the House's identity.
Artisanal winemaking and exceptional ageing
Egly-Ouriet stands out for its deeply artisanal approach to winemaking, where each stage is carried out with meticulous care to preserve the purest expression of the grape and terroir. Fermentations take place naturally, often in oak barrels, with no need for filtration, revealing the full aromatic richness and complexity of the grape varieties, particularly Pinot Noir. This attention to detail continues during maturation on the lees, which can last from five to eight years depending on the cuvée, giving the wine a silky texture, remarkable aromatic intensity and exceptional length on the palate. In this way, each bottle bears witness to the perfect balance between power, finesse and authenticity. This rigor, combined with the strict selection of grapes from Grand Cru terroirs, gives Egly-Ouriet champagnes a unique depth and elegance, making each tasting a true sensory experience where terroir, grape variety and savoir-faire meet in perfect harmony.
Pinot Noir, Signature grape variety
Pinot Noir is at the heart of Egly-Ouriet's identity. An emblematic grape variety of the Montagne de Reims, it lends the house's champagnes remarkable power, elegant structure and exceptional depth. Grown on the Grand Cru terroirs of Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzenay and Verzy, it fully expresses the minerality and unique character of these chalky-clay soils. Thanks to manual harvesting, meticulous vinification and prolonged ageing on lees, Pinot Noir reveals complex aromas of red fruits and brioche notes, while offering a silky texture and impressive length on the palate. A true house signature, it illustrates Egly-Ouriet's commitment to champagnes that are powerful, refined and true to the soul of their terroirs.
Conclusion
Egly-Ouriet is an independent, family-run business with a deep attachment to its Grand Cru terroirs, and is the epitome of champagne excellence. With its powerful Pinot Noir grapes, meticulous hand-crafted vinification and prolonged ageing, each cuvée reflects the perfect balance between authenticity, finesse and character. True to its heritage, the house continues to seduce connoisseurs the world over, offering exceptional champagnes that reveal all the richness and complexity of the Montagne de Reims.