Few wineries have a history as long and as storied as Domaine Weinbach, which can trace its origins back to vines that were planted on the property in the 9th century. It was eventually established as a winery in 1612 by the Capuchin friars. Named after a stream that runs through the property, it was purchased in 1898 by the Faller Family, which still runs it today. Since 2016 Catherine Faller has run the estate with the help of her two sons Eddy and Theo, employing both organic and biodynamic farming practices. The wines of Domaine Weinbach are wonderful representations of Alsace with a focus on purity, balance, and elegance. Weinbach consistently ranks among the top two to three producers in all of Alsace.

Billecart-Salmon’s Clos Saint Hilaire and More

Last week I had the chance to visit one of the most hallowed pieces of ground in the Champagne region, the great Clos Saint Hilaire in Mareuil, at the center of the Billecart-Salmon property there. This vineyard, entirely planted to an old massal selection of Pinot Noir in 1964, makes one of the most profound Blanc de Noirs in the whole appellation. Over the last few years, the Billecart family has put in a huge effort to improve the vineyard, by adding hundreds of different plants along the border of wall, creating bird houses, insect hotels, two small ponds for frogs, and even adding beehives. This new biodynamic approach will encourage ladybugs to eat aphids, birds to eat caterpillars, and, in the end, a healthier vineyard. It is an amazing project to see.

Our Buyer Team's Champagne Odyssey Begins at Fleury

Our Champagne Team is on the trail in France! First stop is a visit to one of the OG biodynamic grower-producers, Champagne Fleury. Scott Beckerley faithfully reports the deliciousness for us.

Fleury: Thirty Years of Biodynamic Excellence

It is hard to believe that it has already been thirty years for Fleury making biodynamic Champagne. These wines were our first organic Champagnes at K&L, and we have been importing them directly for almost as long as I have been working for the company. As I always say to customers considering their Champagne, we don’t work with them just because they are organic; we work with them because they make great wine. To celebrate thirty years of biodynamie, they have released a special wine, the Fleury Cuvee 30 Ans, and it is one of the most profound and complex Champagnes they have ever released.

For the Love of the Vineyard: Champagne Pierre Paillard

Quentin Paillard cares about his vines. His family has been growing grapes and making wine in the village of Bouzy since 1799—so it’s fair to say that he’s deeply rooted (pun intended!) in its soil. But upon speaking to him, it’s clear that their soil and their vines are truly the driving force behind the domaine. His passion for the work they do in the vineyards is palpable, and this is indeed the unique advantage of being a grower-producer among Champagne’s many negociants. All their wines are made from this devotedly grown estate fruit, with a heavy emphasis on preserving the character of the vintage, even in their nonvintage offerings. And there’s some alchemy that happens between soil and fruit and year that makes these Pinot-driven wines perennial staff favorites here at K&L.

K&L Wine Merchants

www.klwines.com