To visit our site, you must be old enough to buy and consume alcohol according to the applicable legislation in your country / region
Enter
Les aulnois
The incarnation of Maison Henriot
This property south of Epernay was acquired by Maison Henriot in 2014. It is a showcase of charm and history as well as the origin of Henriot’s precious know-how and many treasures. Guests from all over the world come to its French formal gardens to taste the cuvées while admiring the Chardonnay hillsides, which stretch as far as the eye can see.
“Its remarkable listed French formal garden is bordered with geometrically pruned Taxus shrubs, which create a splendid setting for the estate.”
Where Champagne began
Appointed to Pierry in 1679, Brother Jean Oudart ran a small Benedictine community there. Adjacent to the house in Les Aulnois there was a press house. Considered as one of Champagne’s founding fathers, Brother Oudart strived to achieve a quality standard that would allow the community of monks to establish their reputation as producers of Pierry sparkling wines.
In 1713, nearly 16,000 bottles were produced at the estate. He enjoyed a friendship with Dom Pierre Pérignon of Hautvillers Abbey for many years. Later advisor to the King of France and General Controller of Finances, he became one of the most important exporters of Champagne.
After the French Revolution, he sold his estate to Jean-Auguste de Tyran de Flavigny, a merchant, owner and producer in Aÿ. Throughout its history, the property gradually moved away from its wine-growing function and its appeal grew as a tourist destination.
An architectural gem
Les Aulnois belonged to the families of Champagne merchants who were keen to preserve the architectural and decorative heritage in order to pass down this unique property, this embodiement of Champagne history, through the generations. The castle that was constructed in 1778 is built around a central octagon.
The large octagonal living room is decorated with a fresco depicting Ovid’s Metamorphoses. This exceptional tapestry, listed in the inventory of historical monuments, has been surprisingly well preserved since the Napoleonic Empire.
The French formal garden dating from the time of the French landscape architect Le Nôtre is also listed, and bordered with geometrically pruned taxus shrubs. Finally, the cellars and one of the oldest wooden presses in Champagne have been restored. With its vast history, Les Aulnois is a place with precious memories, where nobility mingles with fine expertise in a unique atmosphere.
The cradle of Maison Henriot, its heart and soul
Apolline Henriot, who founded the Maison in 1808, took her Champagne to the Austrian Habsburg court. Following in her footsteps in 2014, Maison Henriot set out to acquire an estate nestled in the heart of the vineyard, in the village of Pierry, which reflected its heritage and elegance.
This prestigious residence and gardens are now the location for Maison Henriot’s special reception venue. Customers, distributors, journalists and personalities from the world of wine and culture visit the place for a unique experience that involves exploring the story of Champagne and the spirit of the Maison.
At Les Aulnois, the cellars contain Maison Henriot’s finest bottles and include a collection of old vintages. It is here that Maison Henriot continues writing its love story with Champagne.
