Of all the bonds, that of friendship is the only one that I find sweet…
Charles de Saint Évremond to the Marshall de Créqui, 1671
Domaine Evremond launched at Westminster Abbey in 2015, making English Sparkling Wine history.
A unique partnership between Champagne Taittinger and their British friends, Hatch Mansfield, this marked the first time that a Champagne house had invested in the United Kingdom with the ambition of producing a top quality sparkling wine. It is an endeavour bonded by history, friendship and collaboration, with authenticity and a sense of place at its heart.
Domaine Evremond takes its name from Charles de Saint-Évremond (1613-1703), a Frenchman and the first true ambassador for the wines of Champagne, who fuelled its popularity in England at the court of Charles II. A poet, epicurean and literary critic, he was buried in Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey. The Taittinger family, passionate historians, have always been inspired by the Evremond story and named their own historic venture in his memory.
With a passion for all things British and a long history with the county of Kent, Pierre-Emmanuel had always dreamed of creating something special here based on the values of friendship. His friend, Patrick McGrath who founded their UK partner, Hatch Mansfield identified the opportunity for them to create a top quality English Sparkling Wine grounded in authenticity.
Following an 18 month search with exacting criteria, the ideal site for Domaine Evremond was found close to the picturesque village of Chilham in Kent. Here, the first vines were planted in 2017, followed by the first full harvest in 2019. In 2021 the first blend was carefully crafted, bottled and left to gently mature for 3 years. The next key milestone, reached in 2022, saw the ground prepared for the estate’s winery and Cellar Door. The momentous journey continued in autumn 2024 with the opening of the Domaine Evremond winery for its first harvest. The release of the first edition Domaine Evremond ‘Classic Cuvée’ will be in Spring 2025.
From the beginning, the search for a suitable site was focussed on Kent with its reputation as ‘The Garden of England’. Known as one of the warmest, driest counties in England, combined with its free draining chalk soils, the regional profile mirrors that of Champagne. The county is also close to Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger’s heart. His father Jean, mayor of Reims, twinned the Champagne city with Canterbury.
Chalk Hill,
Chilham,
Canterbury,
CT4 8DT
Tel: 01227 696 055