HERVÉ RAFFLIN
Ludes, Champagne
Hervé Rafflin took over his small family winery back in 2001, though his familial roots in Champagne date back to the 1840s. The estate’s 5 hectares are situated in the heart of the Montagne de Reims in the villages of Chigny-les- Roses, Ludes, Rilly la Montagne and Taissy. A little over half of the vines are dedicated Pinot Meunier, with the rest rounded out by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Vines average 30-40 years in age and as of 2021 are certified organic. The estate puts out anywhere from 5,000 to 13,000 bottles annually, depending on the vintage. The wines are delicious, unpretentious, and always reflective of the growing season and the unique terroir of the Montagne de Reims. At Rafflin, nature dictates business, not demand.
Domaine Overview
Name of Domaine: Champagne Hervé Rafflin
Year Founded: 1840
Winemaker: Hervé Rafflin
First year at Domaine: 2001
Winemaking Style: Traditional
Location: Ludes, Champagne
Total Holdings: 5ha
Grapes: Pinot Meunier (80%), Pinot Noir (5%), Chardonnay (15%)
Average Vine Age: 30-40 years
Farming Practices: Certified Organic
Number of Workers: 4
Bottles produced/year: 5000-13,000
Wines
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Region: Champagne
Color: Sparkling (white)
Grapes: 26% Pinot Meunier, 36% Chardonnay, 38% Pinot Noir. 60% 2016 + reserve wines.
Soil/Terroir: 1er cru Chigny les Roses - lignite clay, green marl, Bartonian limestone, Ludian limestone (Upper Eocene, between 41 and 38 million years old), Campanian chalk, colluvium, marl and Thanetian sand.
Farming Practices: Organic (in conversion)
Vinification: Malolactic fermentation with exogenous yeasts and dosage limited to 1.8 g/l.
Aging: Aged in stainless steel tanks for 8 months.
SO2: added at harvest and before bottling.
Alc/Vol: 12.5
Number of bottles produced: 9000