Discovering Champagne Lombard

Thierry Lombard, the owner of Champagne Lombard focused his attention on the Lombard brand, which had previously limited distribution. The strategy was to move away from mass market activity (retailers, brands and secondary brands). As a result, Thierry Lombard bought the vineyards of the Médot Champagne House: 5,5 ha (13,6 acres) essentially in Premier Cru, located on the West Side of the Montagne de Reims.

The House initiated the development of a grape sourcing policy focussing on Premier and Grand Cru. This orientation led Laurent Vaillant, their Cellar Master, Oenologist, and Vineyard Director, to begin working on the first parcel vinification. Laurent Vaillant passed his National Oenologist diploma. After Graduating from AgroSup Dijon (Burgundy),

Thomas Lombard joined the company with his vision to create Terroir based Champagnes. They are a family Champagne House located in Epernay and founded in 1925 by Robert Andrieu. Philippe Lombard, Thierry Lombard and today Thomas Lombard have led in succession the Champagne House.

The House has undergone a metamorphosis with the arrival of a new generation: their structure is negociant based with a grower philosophy creating a new type of Champagne producer. Within the Lombard House, they highlight the diversity of terroir expressions thanks to the single village and single-plot cuvées.

Their philosophy is to highlight the diversity of terroirs that they can find in Champagne. By that, they vinify terroir cuvées: single village and single plot champagnes. The aim: one terroir, one grape varietal, one vintage to truly represent the minerality of the terroir. They decided to systematically vinify the wines in Brut Nature (zero dosage) in order to preserve the minerality that they find in the soil and by the grape.

Then, the believe in long maturation of the wines in the cellars to reveal their aromatic amplitude and their complexity : we keep the Brut Nature cuvées at least 4 years in our cellars before disgorgement.

“On the threshold of our 100th anniversary, I am delighted with the renewal of our Champagne House. Within the negoce sector our approach has been innovative.” – Thierry Lombard – Owner And Member Of The Supervisory Board

The Cellars & Production

Their cellars measure 1,5km, split into 2 levels, -12 and – 18 meters below ground. With the oldest cellar being dug during the XVIII th century. The wines dedicated to Extra Brut dosage are kept for at least 3 years and the wines dedicated to Brut Nature dosage, are kept for at least 4 years.

They produce 320,000 bottles of their Signature range, a range «signed» by their Cellar Master: these Champagnes are made from a blend of different Premier and Grand Cru terroirs, and vinified Extra Brut or Brut Nature.

For a more exclusive display, they have their Terroir selection, producing 20,000 bottles, a range of Brut Nature Champagnes that express the mineral identity of a terroir in all its correctness: on the scale of a cru or a lieu-dit.

Then finally, with a production of only 10,000 bottles, their limited Millésime range, these Champagnes are the expression of the greatest vintages vinified in their cellars: they embody the memory of the House and of Champagne.

“It’s a passionate approach to Champagne-making.” – Laurent Vaillant – Cellar Master, Oenologist, Vineyard Director And Member Of The Executive Board

The Range of Champagne Lombard

• Extra Brut Premier Cru Rosé
• Brut Nature Grand Cru
• Extra Brut Premier Cru
• Extra Brut Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs
• Brut Nature Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Brut Nature Verzenay Grand Cru Lieu-dit «Les Corettes»
• Brut Nature Cramant Grand Cru Lieu-dit «Les Bauves»
• Brut Nature Chouilly Grand Cru
• Brut Nature Cramant Grand Cru
• Brut Nature Villedommange Premier Cru Lieu-dit «Les Ribauds»
• Brut Nature Verzenay Grand Cru
• Brut Nature Rosé de Saignée Verzenay Grand Cru
• Lieu-dit «Les Marquises» Brut Nature
• Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru
• Brut Nature Grand Cru Millésime 2008
• Collection 1992
• Collection 1996
• Collection 1990

“I wanted to bring my vision of terroir-champagne to the story of our family Champagne House.” – Thomas Lombard – CEO And Chairman Of The Executive Board

Facts & Figures

• Turnover 2022: 11 million (updated in March 2023).
• Volume: 650,000 bottles.
• Lombard brand: 350,000 bottles.
• Distribution: 20 countries.
• Distribution France: 30 sales agents.
• 55 ha contract sourcing.
• 6 ha House Vineyards.
• 10 Grands Crus: Aÿ, Avize, Cramant, Chouilly,
• Oiry, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Verzy, Verzenay, Ambonnay.
• More than 20 different Premiers Crus.

Website: champagne-lombard.com