Francoise Bedel
Summary
Françoise Bedel is a family-owned Champagne producer operating 8.5 hectares across three villages in the western Vallée de la Marne, specializing in Pinot Meunier-dominant wines from clay-limestone soils. Their biodynamic approach, certified since 1998, extends through all aspects of production—from horse plowing select vineyards to indigenous yeast fermentations and extended lees aging of three to seven years with minimal dosage.
Heritage & Leadership
Françoise Bedel established her eponymous Champagne house in 1979 in the village of Crouttes-sur-Marne, located in the Vallée de la Marne region of Champagne. The domaine began as a small family operation when Françoise took over vineyard management from her father, transforming what had been primarily grape-selling parcels into an independent Champagne production. In 2004, her son Vincent Desaubeau officially joined the family business, bringing continuity to the estate's vision while gradually assuming greater responsibilities in both vineyard management and winemaking. Today, Vincent works alongside his mother in leading the domaine, with Françoise remaining actively involved in key decisions. The estate represents three generations of winegrowing heritage in the Marne Valley, with their transition to biodynamic farming in 1998 marking a significant milestone in their development.
Vineyards & Wines
Françoise Bedel's vineyards span 8.5 hectares across the terroirs of Crouttes-sur-Marne, Nanteuil-sur-Marne, and Villiers-Saint-Denis in the western Vallée de la Marne. The estate's plantings reflect the regional character with 78% Pinot Meunier, complemented by 13% Chardonnay and 9% Pinot Noir. The vineyards sit on predominantly clay-limestone soils with varying proportions of clay, sand, and limestone depending on the specific plot. This soil composition particularly favors the expression of Pinot Meunier, the signature grape of their portfolio.
The domaine produces several distinct cuvées, each with its own character. Their flagship "Origin'elle" is predominantly Pinot Meunier, while "Entre Ciel et Terre" features a higher proportion of Chardonnay. "Dis Vin Secret" represents their most complex offering, with extended aging on lees. The estate's production remains deliberately small, allowing for meticulous attention to each parcel and cuvée.
Philosophy & Practice
Françoise Bedel committed to biodynamic viticulture in 1998, receiving Demeter certification after several years of transitioning their farming practices. This approach extends beyond organic farming to incorporate the biodynamic calendar and preparations that treat the vineyard as a complete ecosystem. Their viticultural practices include cover cropping, horse plowing in select parcels, and the elimination of all synthetic treatments.
In the cellar, fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, depending on the cuvée. The wines undergo complete malolactic fermentation, followed by extended aging on lees—a minimum of three years for their entry-level champagnes and up to seven years for their premium offerings. Dosage is kept minimal, typically between 2-4 g/L, allowing the terroir expression to remain prominent.
The estate follows a non-interventionist philosophy throughout the winemaking process, avoiding fining and filtering when possible and adding minimal sulfur only at bottling. This approach, combined with their biodynamic viticulture, aims to produce champagnes that reflect both the distinctive character of Pinot Meunier from the Marne Valley and the specific conditions of each vintage.