Elise Dechannes
Who are they / Where are they located?
Elise Dechannes comes from a Champagne producing family in the tiny and very much under the radar appellation of Les Riceys in the southernmost part of the Aube in France. Elise found success in banking before taking over at the family estate in 2008, pursuing her original passion for winemaking and viticulture.
Elise is equally passionate about organic and biodynamic viticulture, with the utmost respect for nature and biodiversity placed at the forefront of her farming. Since her early days, Elise has kept treatments to a minimum, harvested carefully by hand, and plowed with a horse in an effort to not compact the soils, allowing the vines to breathe and absorb the natural nutrients.
What are they making?
The Les Riceys region is known for their unique still Pinot Noir rosés, and while Elise does have one in her range of wines, she specializes in Pinot Noir based blanc Champagnes.
Fermentation and aging happens in a mix of stainless steel, oak, sandstone and clay amphorae. Most are bottled without dosage and are vintage-bottled. Through all of her site-specific wines is something ethereal and wildly complex with an elegance that truly shows the intricacies of this particular place.
Why do we love them?
We’re thrilled to have two of Elise’s Champagnes in the shop at the moment that are considered to be her top cuvée’s. The first is “Absolue Grès” meaning “sandstone” in French, which achieves its signature freshness through vilification in sandstone amphora. And “Absolue Terre” meaning clay in French, is distinctly different despite both coming from the same parcel, and is aged in clay amphora. They’ve only been available in California for about a year and have already become extremely coveted. Needless to say, quantities are super limited and these go fast. Available now!
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