Description
CHAMPAGNE BALINCOURT
FAMILY-RUN CHAMPAGNE HOUSE AND CHALK QUARRIES SINCE 1804
Testu de Balincourt: A History of Inheritance
The Testu de Balincourt family is a French noble family with roots in the Ile de France (Vexin). The name ‘Testu’ embodies the tenacity of its members, who were often military men. In 1746, Claude-Guillaume Testu, Marshal of France, was appointed Commander of the Grand Est region and Governor of the city of Strasbourg on 1 January 1746. He received lands, including those of Châlons-en-Champagne, the birthplace of Champagne Louis Balincourt.
Underground chalk pits
Balincourt House owns an ‘underground cathedral’, a former medieval chalk quarry used since 1804 to age champagne. These Gallo-Roman chalk pits, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lie 30 metres underground and offer optimal conditions for ageing and preserving Champagne. Today, the Meyblum family continues this tradition.
The Champagnes of Balincourt House
Balincourt Champagnes, made mainly from Premier Cru terroirs and predominantly Chardonnay, are the fruit of ancestral know-how. These wines are carefully matured for over 4 years in our underground chalk pits, giving them remarkable finesse and complexity. Once perfectly matured, they are tasted by enlightened wine-lovers and sold to renowned establishments.
THE BALINCOURT CHAMPAGNES
Click on the bottles' pictures to access the technical data sheets for each cuvée.
The technical data sheet and label for the vintage Champagne (2018) are currently being prepared.
2018 VINTAGE
Grape varieties: 70% Chardonnay 30% Pinot noir
Label being created
VISITS TO THE CHALK PITS
Explore 2,000 years of history!
Nearly 30 metres underground, come and discover the fascinating history of the Crayères Chalonnaises from Gallo-Roman antiquity to the present day, while learning about the Champagne-making process. The Crayères Balincourt are an exceptional heritage site, part of the Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne UNESCO World Heritage Site.
BALINCOURT CHAMPAGNES AT L'ANGLETERRE RESTAURANT
With a passion for gastronomy, Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Feck began his career at the Grand Hôtel de l'Europe in Langres, before perfecting his skills in prestigious establishments such as Royal Champagne in Champillon and Les Berceaux in Épernay, before becoming executive chef at Hostellerie de Levernois.
In 2017, he took over the kitchens of the restaurant L'Angleterre, where he distinguished himself with his refined and daring French cuisine, highlighting regional and seasonal produce.
This creative chef appreciates the high quality of Balincourt Champagnes, which he carefully combines with the delicate flavours of his dishes. By including these champagnes on his menu, he offers a tasting experience in which the elegance of the bubbles underlines the finesse of his creations.
To find out more about the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Hôtel d'Angleterre in Châlons-en-Champagne: www.hotel-dangleterre.fr
OUR PROJECT
Bringing our Gallo-Roman Crayères up to standard and replanting the plant cover
Upgrading of installations in the chalk pits
Budget: €15,000
To develop wine tourism, we need to meet specific safety standards in all our cellars. Your support will make it possible to finance work including accessibility (particularly for people with reduced mobility), fire safety, signage, lighting and video surveillance.
Maintenance of the ventilation ducts
Budget: €10,000
The ten ventilation ducts in our chalk pits, topped with concrete flowerbeds, are ageing and overgrown. With your support, we will be able to restore these essential structures and ensure optimum natural ventilation of the galleries, which extend up to 30 metres underground.
Replanting the plant cover on the chalk pits
Budget: €5,000
Faced with the challenges of climate change, the plant cover protecting our cellars needs to be revitalised to ensure the longevity of this wood, which is essential to our crayères. With your support, we will be able to call on the expertise of the ONF to renew the tree species and preserve this natural treasure in the long term.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT?
For this project, WineFunding offers you a simple and innovative concept
to help the winery finance its projects
every year for 3 years
Choose your contribution
Plongez dans l'univers de la Maison Balincourt et partez à la découverte de Champagnes d'exception.
Pour vous faire plaisir ou partager, choisissez un pack de 3, 6 , 12 ou 24 bouteilles en fonction de votre envie et de votre budget.
Pay once in 2024 and
receive 3 bottles every year for 3 years
1 x Brut Séduction
1 x Brut Premier Cru
1 x Rosé Brut
Total: 9 bottles for €290
Delivery included*
You save €76**
Pay once in 2024 and
receive 6 bottles every year for 3 years
2 x Brut Séduction
1 x Vintage 2018
1 x Brut Premier Cru
1 x Rosé Brut
1 x Brut de Craie - Blanc de Blancs
Total: 18 bottles for €580
Delivery included*
You save €161**
Pay once in 2024 and
receive 12 bottles every year for 3 years
3 x Brut Séduction
2 x Vintage 2018
3 x Brut Premier Cru
2 x Rosé Brut
2 x Brut de Craie - Blanc de Blancs
1 x Noble Héritage visit
Total: 36 bottles for €1,200
Delivery included*
You save €262**
Pay once in 2024 and
receive 24 bottles every year for 3 years
6 x Brut Séduction
4 x Vintage 2018
6 x Brut Premier Cru
4 x Rosé Brut
4 x Brut de Craie - Blanc de Blancs
1 x Marquis de Balincourt visit
1 x Balincourt club membership for 1 year
Total: 24 bottles for €2,300
Delivery included*
You save €646**
*Delivery each year is included in the price of the packages for continental France (excluding islands).
** Savings based on the 2024 online sales price including VAT and the public delivery price in mainland France. (e.g.: €20 for a case of 6 bottles each year).
For prices, please contact us at info@winefunding.com.
For the United States and the United Kingdom, please also contact us.
We are unable to guarantee shipment to these destinations.
To find out more about Balincourt Champagnes: www.champagnebalincourt.com