Seeing multiple Grand Cru villages from multiple valleys, all under one roof, is rare in Champagne.

You might encounter it at the grandes marques—where a house style can overshadow individual terroirs—but it’s far rarer (and more exciting) from a tiny grower, especially one farming organically and leaning on native fermentations to make site-specific wines.

We’ve found that rare combination in Aurore Casanova.

With her husband, Jean-Baptiste Robinet, she farms parcels across grand cru villages in the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Marne Valley. The scale is small (3.5 ha) but the terroirs are undeniable.

Factor in their decisions to pick at full phenolic ripeness, age their vins clairs in wood, and bottle with only a touch of dosage – and you have one of the most delicious and diverse debuts from any new grower this year.

BACKGROUND

Aurore is a former professional ballet dancer who spent seven years performing abroad before returning to Champagne. Jean-Baptiste comes from a vigneron family and previously worked in prosthetics design. The two met in 2011 while studying viticulture and oenology in Avize; after JB apprenticed with Fabrice Pouillon (a favorite of ours!) they founded their domaine in 2013. They’re based in Mardeuil, just west of Épernay.

Aurore and JB; photos via @aurorecasanovachampagne

TERROIRS

Certified organic in 2023; they work to biodynamic principles, with hand harvesting at full maturity across multiple Grand Cru sites:

Montagne de Reims  

Puisieulx (Grand Cru): Lieu-dit Les Petites Vignes. East-facing clay–silt over hard limestone. Pinot Noir planted 1968–69 (massale); Chardonnay planted 1988.

Côte des Blancs  

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger & Oger (Grand Crus): 22 micro-parcels on chalk subsoils with thin brown topsoils and colluvium; multiple exposures.

Vallée de la Marne  

Champvoisy: Brown marl over hard limestone—this is prime Pinot Meunier country.

CELLAR

Traditional pressing to stainless; spontaneous (native) fermentations; élevage on lees in barrel without racking. Bottling typically July/August with no fining or filtration. Dosage is Extra Brut, often using a liqueur based on their own reserves.

They employ a réserve perpétuelle—started 2016 for Puisieulx Pinot Noir and 2017 for Puisieulx Chardonnay—topped up each year and used both for blending and dosage. You also see it in the top wine ‘Union’ which folds its density and power into their superb Mesnil fruit. 

THE WINES

NV Aurore Casanova Brut, Champagne $66
Multi-valley Brut with a grand-cru core, Puisieulx always making the heart of the blend; vinous fruit, chalky tension, mouthwatering wine.

NV Aurore Casanova Brut Rosé, Champagne $68
Pinot-forward rosé, aperitif in flavor and color. Zesty, dry Champagne rosé.

Puisieulx Grand Cru ‘Les Petites Vignes’ Chardonnay Extra Brut (18–20) $98
Pinot-forward rosé, aperitif in flavor and color. Zesty, dry Champagne rosé.

Puisieulx Grand Cru ‘Les Petites Vignes’ Pinot Noir Extra Brut (19–20) $105
Old-vine Grand Cru Pinot from their single vineyard in Puisieulx. Pinoté in spades, reads like some very famous BdN names we love.

Grand Cru Assemblage Blanc de Blancs Mesnil / Puisieulx (22) $105
The first real sign of Mesnil. It’s vertically blended with just a touch of Puisieulx breadth. Single vintage. Arriving late Sept / early October

Puisieulx Grand Cru ‘Les Petites Vignes’ Chardonnay Extra Brut (B22) $120
Like the multiblended version but with base being all 2022. A more powerful, primary rendition. Arriving late Sept / early October

Puisieulx Grand Cru ‘Les Petites Vignes’ Pinot Noir Extra Brut (22) $125
Like the multiblended version but with base being all 2022. A more powerful, primary rendition. Arriving late Sept / early October

'Union Grand Cru' Le Mesnil-sur-Oger & Puisieulx (19–21) $145
The top wine, coming in tiny quantities. Mesnil Chardonnay with a special Puisieulx réserve perpétuelle. Arriving late Sept / early October

Shop Aurore Casanova