A visit to Champagne Faniel & Fils
19th July 2017
What initially grabs you with Champagne Faniel & Fils is the character and permanent smile that Mathieu Faniel, the current wine-maker, has for you when you meet him and as he shows you his winery and his wines. The location of Faniel & Fils is in the wonderfully placed village of Cormoyeaux which is nestled in amongst sloping hills of Champagne vines and a offers well maintained and full of regional character community of attractive properties on peaceful streets – catch a sunny blue day when you make your visit and Cormoyeaux is truly stunning.
The Faniel & Fils house is located next door to the church and what makes this Champagne house even more unique is that its wine cellars were made by local monks with even the date of 1673 engraved in stone as you enter them. Mathieu produces all of his own wines on site and has a smooth running operation from tanks storing the wines to labelling machines. You know that when you are purchasing Champagne from Faniel & Fils you are getting a wine made by the Faniel family from the vines on the land to the wine in the bottle.
Champagne Faniel & Fils was founded by André Faniel right after World War II and back then, when the region had really taken a pounding from air attacks, Champagne was no where near the famous wine region it is today.
The domain was officially renamed Faniel & Fils from just Faniel by Jacques Faniel who was the wine-making son of André as a tribute to his and his wife Brigitte’s sons Romain and Mathieu.
Since 2008, Mathieu, who is the third generation of the family to work in the business, has been helping his parents with the promotion of the family domain and its expansion.
Champagne Faniel & Fils have six cuvées to explore including one special release from Mathieu called ‘Les Secrets D’André’ as a tribute to André Faniel his grandfather.
If you are looking for a grower Champagne to visit, an ideal location to explore and want to stay nearby then Faniel & Fils must be added to your planned route through the region. The family welcome you to taste through their wines, take a tour of the winery including the ancient wine cellars and you can even stay at their own small bed and breakfast cottage called ‘La Villa des Roses’ that sits just opposite their winery.
Christopher Walkey
Co-founder of Glass of Bubbly. Journalist and author focused on Champagne & Sparkling Wines and pairing them with foods.