Savart
Summary
Champagne Savart is a small-scale, family-driven grower-producer based in Ecueil, Montagne de Reims, crafting primarily Pinot Noir-focused champagnes from approximately 4 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards with distinctive chalky soils. Frédéric Savart combines sustainable vineyard practices with a flexible winemaking approach that includes small oak and stainless steel fermentation, extended lees aging, and moderate dosage levels to create terroir-expressive wines that authentically reflect each site's unique character.
Heritage & Leadership
Champagne Savart is a small grower-producer based in the village of Ecueil in the Montagne de Reims region of Champagne. The domaine is currently led by Frédéric Savart, who took over from his father Daniel Savart in the early 2000s. The Savart family has deep roots in Ecueil, with their history of grape growing in the region dating back several generations.
Under Frédéric's direction, the house has gained recognition for its precise, terroir-driven expressions of predominantly Pinot Noir-based champagnes. Frédéric, trained as an oenologist, made a deliberate choice to return to his family's vineyards rather than pursue opportunities elsewhere, bringing a combination of technical knowledge and deep familiarity with the local terroir to his winemaking approach.
Vineyards & Wines
Champagne Savart manages approximately 4 hectares of vineyards, primarily located in the Premier Cru villages of Ecueil and Villers-aux-Nœuds in the northwestern sector of the Montagne de Reims. The estate's holdings are predominantly planted to Pinot Noir (roughly 80%), with the remainder dedicated to Chardonnay. The vineyards sit on the chalky soils typical of the Montagne de Reims, with varying proportions of clay and limestone depending on the specific plot.
The domaine produces several cuvées, each reflecting specific vineyard sites or blending approaches. Key wines include L'Ouverture (100% Pinot Noir), L'Accomplie (a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), and Le Mont des Chrétiens (a single-vineyard bottling from Villers-aux-Nœuds). Other notable wines include Dame de Cœur (100% Chardonnay) and Expression, a multi-vintage blend. Annual production remains limited, with approximately 35,000 bottles produced across all cuvées.
Philosophy & Practice
Frédéric Savart's approach combines respect for tradition with thoughtful innovation. In the vineyards, he employs sustainable practices focused on maintaining soil health and vine balance. Yields are kept deliberately low to ensure concentration and quality in the fruit.
In the cellar, Savart utilizes a mix of small oak barrels and stainless steel for fermentation and aging, tailoring the vessel choice to each specific plot and vintage. Malolactic fermentation is generally allowed to occur naturally, and the wines typically spend extended time on their lees before disgorgement. Dosage levels are kept moderate to low, allowing the character of the fruit and terroir to remain prominent.
Savart's winemaking philosophy centers on expressing the distinctive character of each vineyard site while maintaining precision and balance. Rather than adhering to a formula, Frédéric adapts his techniques to the conditions of each vintage, resulting in wines that reflect both place and time with clarity and definition.