Fabien Cazé is reshaping a tenth-generation legacy in Châtillon sur Marne into one of Champagne’s most dynamic new grower estates. In 2013 he isolated 2.66 hectares of his family’s vines for his own project, selecting six small parcels across Châtillon sur Marne and Vandières on the right bank of the Marne. His early releases gained immediate attention, and his recent induction into Terre et Vins, an invitation only collective of the region’s most terroir focused growers, signals how quickly his work has resonated among Champagne’s most respected vignerons.

Farming is certified organic and built around minimal disturbance of the soils. Fabien hoes rather than ploughs, encourages natural plant life between rows, and avoids all herbicides and pesticides. Pruning and canopy work are done by hand. In the cellar, he favors slow, cold native yeast fermentations in small barrels, followed by extended aging on the fine lees. Malolactic fermentations rarely complete in the naturally low temperatures of his underground cave, and dosage decisions are made through blind tasting, often resulting in little to no added sugar. Nothing is fined or filtered, preserving both texture and transparency.

Crayère comes from a single vineyard co planted to meunier and chardonnay and harvested and fermented together. The base is 2021 with a generous proportion of reserve wine, aged in oak and finished without dosage. It shows a savory, enveloping profile where meunier’s depth meets chardonnay’s tension, with layers of pear, citrus oil, pastry and chalk. The palate is vibrant and textural, carried by a fine bead and a saline edge that lingers. Production is small and each bottle reflects Fabien’s patient, thoughtful approach to revealing the character of his corner of the Vallée de la Marne, reinforcing that these are some of the most exciting wines coming out of Champagne today.