Champagne Roger Constant Lemaire - Origins
The history of Maison Roger Constant Lemaire dates back to the end of the 19th century in Hautvillers, the birthplace of Champagne and cradle of the Lemaire family.
When Désiré Lemaire, gardener and poet, bought some parcels of vines in the region of Hautvillers in 1890, he knew that a family tradition was born and that it would continue to this day.
Roger Constant Lemaire, his grandson and son of Maurice Lemaire, was a visionary who immediately understood the importance of assembling different grape varieties to create a quality Champagne.
The year 1930 is the official year in which the family Champagne was first produced . The year 1945 saw the birth of Champagne Roger Constant Lemaire under the leadership of Roger-Constant. The area gradually expanded to the surrounding vineyards.
The year 1930 is the official year in which the family Champagne was first produced . The year 1945 saw the birth of Champagne Roger Constant Lemaire under the leadership of Roger-Constant. The area gradually expanded to the surrounding vineyards.
Today , with its 12 hectares, Champagne-Constant Roger Lemaire is still a family-run business and exports to many countries.
- 1860: Birth of Désiré Lemaire in Chamery. His father, Jean-Baptiste Lemaire, was already the owner of a small vineyard in the Reims area. The vines were cultivated and then the grapes were sold to the large Champagne houses.
- 1890: Désiré Lemaire was a vigneron, but he was also a poet: many poems were written by this man of exceptional intelligence. He succeeded in combining his small vineyard with the prestigious land of Hautvillers through his marriage to Marie Godard. The family lives in Hautvillers. This is the beginning of a tradition in which each generation will add its stone to the building.
-
1930: His only son, Maurice Lemaire takes the first steps in producing and marketing his own Champagne, under the name "Champagne Maurice Lemaire". His marriage to Bertha Jumel enlarges the family farm, which produces its own Champagne. They had three children, including Roger Constant.
-
1945: Roger Constant Lemaire marries Yvette Godbillon. Through this extraordinary alliance, the wine region doubles and the brand "Champagne Roger Constant Lemaire!" is born. The family moved to Villers-sous-Châtillon.
- 1964: Birth of the Cuvée Trianon, the first family Prestige brand.
- 1966: The brand "Cuvée Trianon" is officially registered and protected.
- 1975: Brigitte Lemaire, daughter of Roger Constant, marries Gilles Tournant. Together, the company engages in a quality policy by equipping a modern winery while maintaining the traditional skills inherited from the family.
- 1980: Birth of Champagne Rosé.
- 2001: Beginning of the family's ecological awareness. It is no longer just about producing good wine; one must also respect the environment. The Champagne is exported to Belgium, Italy and Germany.
- 2002: The use of seaweed and certified organic fertilizers "BIO" to fertilize the vines.
- 2007: Abandonment of the production of Rosé Champagne and the birth of Rosé de saignée. Gilles Tournant wants to produce a Champagne with exceptional taste and color . The production of a classic Rosé Champagne is stopped and replaced by Rosé de Saignée.
- 2008: A new generation of the family arrives and brings new ideas. Sébastien and Guillaume take responsibility within the family for the expansion of exports: The brand Roger-Constant Lemaire spreads to China and Japan.
- 2010: Beginning of exports to Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
- 2011: The family business now exports to Australia and the Netherlands.
- 2012: Moving to new premises at 50 rue de la Glacière. Beginning of exports to Austria.
- 2013: The Lemaire family establishes a foothold in Canada and the USA.