Who makes it
At Michel Mailliard, grape quality and vineyard stewardship come first. The house farms sustainably, produces approximately 3,000 nine litre cases annually, and works with vineyards planted predominantly to Chardonnay. The production remains small enough for the grape and the cellar choices to define the range clearly.
The house's approach begins in the vineyard. High quality grapes are treated as the basis for great wine, while sustainable farming keeps vineyard care at the centre of production.
Where it grows
Vertus sits in Champagne's Côte des Blancs, a region closely associated with Chardonnay. The village is the home of Michel Mailliard, whose vineyards are predominantly planted to the same grape.
The Côte des Blancs is also marked by chalk outcrops that appear differently from those in other Champagne zones. That exposed chalk gives the region a distinct physical character before the grapes reach the press.
How it is made
The cellar
Sustainable farming is part of the house's vineyard work. In the cellar, Michel Mailliard operates from a custom crush facility, while the winemaking equipment is used only for Michel Mailliard production.
A custom crush facility provides the production setting; dedicated equipment keeps the pressing and cellar tools assigned to this house. The arrangement gives the wines their own equipment within that facility.
What they make
Mont Vergon 2007 and 2008 are the named vintage wines in the range. The 2007 is a Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay, while Mont Vergon 2008 is another vintage bottle from the same named cuvée.
Cuvée Gregory 1er Cru Brut is the nonvintage cuvée, made from 95% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Noir. It ages for 5 years on lees before disgorgement. Lees ageing keeps the wine on its spent yeast cells after the second fermentation, adding texture and savoury depth.