The Diebolt and Vallois families have an incredibly long history in the Côte des Blancs. The Vallois family has been growing vines in Cuis since the 15th century. The grandfather of current proprietor Jacques Diebolt began making estate bottled champagne at the beginning of the 20th century. Champagne Diebolt-Vallois was created in 1960, when Jacques married Nadia Vallois and incorporated some of the vineyard holdings that belonged to the Vallois family into the Diebolt estate.
The vineyard holdings are spread over the villages of Cramant, Chouilly, Cuis, Oger and Epernay. Diebolt-Vallois were originally registered as a Récoltant-Manipulant but are now a Négociant-Manipulant. They own 13 ha of vineyards and purchase another 2-3 ha from the Vallois family.
Jacques and Nadia are assisted in day-to-day operations by their children, Isabelle and Arnaud. The family produces four different non-vintage cuvees, including a Rosé and two vintage dated wines. All but the top two selections are vinified in tanks.
Diebolt Vallois Blanc de Blancs 2006 is sourced from the villages of Cuis, Chouilly and Epernay. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel with the goal of revealing the vintage's individual characteristics. The wine is released after 5 years and has a low dosage of 7 g/l.
Diebolt-Vallois is a quintessential example 'the new Champagne' two ancient families producing superbly distinctive wines on a small scale. It is ironic that they must be classified as a Négociant-Manipulant to purchase fruit from their own family: needless to say they have nothing whatsoever in common with the big negociants with whom they are legally classified.
