Edmond Barnaut was a grape-grower and wine-broker when in 1873 he married the daughter of an old Bouzy family, Apolline Godmé-Barancourt. Using his own and his wife's vineyards he created his own marque and began selling bottles the following year. Philippe and Laurette Secondé took over in 1985, and they have now been joined by their son Guillaume Secondé, the 5th generation of the Barnaut family. After 150 harvests, Guillaume's return to the domaine, gradually taking his spot as "future chef" for the 6th generation.
The Secondés make well-aged Champagnes (five years average for the Grande Réserve) which are very representative of the full-bodied style of Bouzy - the excellent Pinot Noir of the village's Grand Cru Vineyards providing the backbone (2/3) of the Grande Réserve and all of the Blanc de Noirs. As Philippe puts it 'I want to express our exceptional terroir, naturally and simply, without artifice and without giving in to fashions.'.
The domaine is certified for High Environmental Value (HVE) and Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne (VDC).
