Domaine Alexandre Bonnet, a historic estate of the Côte des Bar and a leading benchmark for the identity of Les Riceys, announces the appointment of Benjamin Courant as its new vineyard manager. The 36‑year‑old agronomist brings with him an unconventional career path yet one deeply rooted in a single conviction: wine is born in the vineyard. A vision perfectly aligned with the Domaine’s philosophy, long an ambassador of a more untamed, sunlit southern Champagne, defined by a complex mosaic of parcels.
From Forestry to Precision Viticulture: Benjamin Courant’s Path
Courant’s professional story began in the forestry sector, before moving definitively into viticulture with technical training in Beaune (BPA and BTS in alternating study and work).
Experience in Chablis, alongside leading producers, enabled him to refine his reading of Kimmeridgian soils, a crucial skill for interpreting the terroir of Les Riceys as well.
A Riceton by adoption for several years, Benjamin Courant knows intimately this part of Champagne—characterized by energies, exposures and micro‑environments that demand a respectful, rigorous approach.
He is guided by a simple, radical principle: “Each parcel imposes its own rhythm, its own interpretation, its own requirement. The role of the vineyard manager is to understand those balances and respect them.” A statement that distills the essence of his method, founded on the ability to observe vine and soil and to adapt to their natural dynamics.
Domaine Alexandre Bonnet: A Strategic Appointment to Strengthen the Parcel Identity of Les Riceys
The appointment of Benjamin Courant consolidates the Domaine’s trajectory toward demanding, sensitive viticulture built on in‑depth soil analysis, parcel‑by‑parcel management, and respect for the plant’s biological timing.
In the face of new climatic challenges, Courant places soil at the center of the agronomic strategy, promoting practices that foster biodiversity: cover crops, agroforestry, and farming techniques that regenerate local ecosystems and integrate the vineyard’s identity with the agrarian history of the Côte des Bar.
To these he adds the decision to expand the use of Guyot‑Poussard pruning, a technique that preserves vine longevity and enables a more sustainable approach over the long term.
Vineyard and Cellar: An Ever Closer Dialogue at Domaine Alexandre Bonnet
The arrival of Benjamin Courant strengthens synergies with cellar manager Irvin Charpentier. Two complementary skill sets sharing a common approach: work on detail and precision to allow the wine to speak of the place it comes from. In the cellar, Charpentier interprets the raw material; in the vineyard, Courant is its first guardian. Their collaboration forges a balance that elevates the authentic expression of Les Riceys.
With this appointment, Domaine Alexandre Bonnet reaffirms its commitment to enhancing the uniqueness of its terroir, continuing along a path that has made its cuvées exemplars of the méthode champenoise with a strong territorial imprint.
This is a Champagne that does not merely replicate models, but defines its own voice through the power of its parcels, the depth of its soils, and a contemporary interpretation of an age‑old heritage.
