Wood and Chalk in Rilly
- Falstaff Winery - 3 Stars · 2026
- Pearl 4 Star Prestige · 2025
At Vilmart & Cie, the production sequence is unusually clear. The estate’s 11 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards are in Rilly-la-Montagne and Villers-Allerand, with a stated 70/30 split of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Désiré Vilmart founded the house in 1890; Laurent Champs now leads the cellar.
Wood before chalk-cellar aging
The producer describes the first fermentation in foudres and oak barrels and around ten months of wood aging. It does not use malolactic fermentation. The wines then age in the chalk cellar for about three to four years in the non-vintage range and five to eight years in the vintage range. The timing and vessels give a concrete basis for comparing Vilmart’s cuvées without assigning a single tasting profile to all of them.
A visit that shows the method
Vilmart’s “Secrets of Wood” experience takes visitors into a foudre cellar and compares still wines with finished Grand Cellier and Cœur de Cuvée Champagne. The producer also lists classic tastings and a Les Blanches Voies vineyard experience. All are booked with the house; the published lineup and pricing should be checked for the chosen date.
Questions
Frequently asked
Where is Vilmart & Cie?
The house is in Rilly-la-Montagne, with vineyards there and in Villers-Allerand.
Can I book a tasting at Vilmart?
Yes. Vilmart lists classic tastings and wood- and vineyard-focused experiences, booked directly with the house.
How large is Vilmart’s vineyard?
The producer lists 11 hectares of Premier Cru vines.
The field
How it compares
| Place | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Vilmart & Cie | Rilly-la-Montagne, $$$ | · |
| Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo | Montalcino | · |
| Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion | Bordeaux | · |
| Château Pape Clement | Pessac | World's 50 Best |
| Domaine Coche-Dury | Meursault | · |
| Giacomo Conterno | Monforte d'Alba | · |
| Hundred Acre | Napa | · |
