Champagne A. Lété — Handcraft in Damery since 1890
Champagne A. Lété is a Récoltant-Manipulant house from Damery in the Vallée de la Marne. Founded in 1890 by Auguste Lété and his wife Jeanne, daughter of a winemaking family. Today the estate is run in the 4th generation by Frédéric and Laetitia Lété, who took over management in 2010. Already active: Clara (Laetitia's daughter) and Tom (Frédéric's son) as the 5th generation.
The house cultivates parcels in Damery and Fleury-la-Rivière, with a grape variety focus on Meunier (50%), followed by Chardonnay (30%) and Pinot Noir (20%). In 2024 they achieved HVE4 (Haute Valeur Environnementale 4) certification as well as VDC (Viticulture Durable en Champagne).
History
Auguste Lété founded the estate in 1890 together with Jeanne in Damery. Jeanne came from a winemaking family, Auguste already brought champagne experience with him. In 1918, after his father's death, Jacques Lété took over the estate at just 18 years old, actively supported by his mother Jeanne.
Philippe Lété, Jacques' son, took over in 1975 together with his wife Annick. Philippe further developed the vineyards between Damery and Fleury-la-Rivière and sustainably shaped the house's direction.
In 2010 the fourth generation stepped up: Frédéric and Laetitia Lété now run the family business together. Since the early 2020s, Clara and Tom have also been active in the operation and bring fresh energy to the tradition. The family carefully documents their history — photos from the Saint-Vincent festival in 1910 and from the 1973 harvest bear witness to over a century of winemaking craft.
Vignoble & Soil
The vines grow in Damery and Fleury-la-Rivière, both located in the Marne Valley. Meunier is the king grape variety at 50%, typical for the Vallée de la Marne. Chardonnay (30%) and Pinot Noir (20%) round out the grape variety portfolio.
The terroir benefits from the classic soils of the Marne region — chalky, permeable, with good water retention capacity. Preserving the riches of this soil is a declared goal of the family.
Viticulture & Sustainability
The house works according to the principles of viticulture raisonnée (integrated viticulture) with deep respect for nature. Handwork in the parcels and meticulous observation shape daily life. In 2024 A. Lété received HVE4 certification as well as the VDC label (Viticulture Durable en Champagne), a clear commitment to environmentally compatible viticulture.
The family relies on patience and care — each parcel is individually tended to optimally preserve the terroir characteristics.
Vinification
A. Lété vinifies in thermoregulated stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness of the base wines. Additionally, the house uses enameled concrete tanks, which are kept in perfect condition — a traditional element that combines consistency with modern standards. Malolactic fermentation is carried out.
Particularly characteristic: Every bottle is manually riddled (remuage à la main). The dosage liqueur is homemade, prepared from reserve wines and cane sugar. The team brings over 45 years of pressing experience. The philosophy is: "Huile de coude" — elbow grease, meaning maximum handwork. Patience and observation are guiding principles, no compromises.
The dosage range extends from 0 g/l (Brut Nature) to about 40 g/l (Demi-Sec), depending on the cuvée.
The Cuvées in Detail
Gestern hatte ich einen Champagner im Glas, der zeigt, was perfektes Handwerk im Vallée de la Marne ausmachen kann: Den "Les Scellées" Brut von…
Was tut man eigentlich mit einem Buch, wenn es fertig geschrieben ist – aber man noch nicht weiß, ob Verlag, Agentur oder doch Self-Publishing?…
Gestern Abend habe ich die erste Flasche aus meiner neuen Lieferung von @champagnealete geöffnet: den L’Avant-Garde Blanc de Noirs. Eigentlich ein…
num. I — Les Miscellanées
The former Carte d'Or is the entry-level cuvée, compact and aromatically accessible. Aromatics of roasted dried fruits, honey and almonds, with 30% reserve wines in the blend. Ages 18 months on the lees and pairs with seafood, apéritifs and melted cheese.
80% Meunier · 10% Pinot Noir · 10% Chardonnay · Brut/Demi-Sec · 18 Months · Damery
num. II — Les Miscellanées
The former Extra Réservée cuvée is the house's signature champagne. Aromatics of praline, yellow fruits and fresh meringue. Balanced between apéritif and main course. Awarded Médaille d'Or Féminalises, Decanter Bronze and featured in Guide Hachette 2025. Also available in half-bottles and magnums.
40% Meunier · 40% Pinot Noir · 20% Chardonnay · Brut · 8 g/l · 24 Months · Damery
num. III — Les Miscellanées
The former Première Cuvée, aged over 30 months. Aromatics of white fruits, honey and spices. Designed for traditional dishes like pâté en croûte, mushroom tart or veal blanquette. Awarded Médaille d'Or Terre de Vins.
70% Pinot Noir · 30% Chardonnay · Brut/Demi-Sec · 30 Months · Damery
La Linéale
Dedicated to the women of the family. Aromatics of white flowers and fruits, delicate citrus nuances. Lumineux, droit et délicat — luminous, straight, delicate. Pairs with fish in salt crust, young Comté and fresh goat cheese. Awarded Decanter Silver and Médaille d'Or.
50% Chardonnay · 25% Pinot Noir · 25% Meunier · Brut · 30 Months · Damery
La Linéale Dosage Zéro
New in 2025. The house's most precise cuvée, with 0 g/l dosage and 48 months aging. Aromatics of white acacia blossom, bergamot and grapefruit. 45% reserve wines, manually riddled. Honest, clear, very precise. For salmon tartare or poultry with citrus fruits.
50% Chardonnay · 25% Pinot Noir · 25% Meunier · Brut Nature · 0 g/l · 48 Months · Damery
Les Ainées
Ich habe von dieser Flasche zwei Stück im Keller und schon einige Ideen, zu welchem Pairing ich sie probieren möchte – heute wollte ich sie aber…
Am 27.12. gab es Reste vom Weihnachtstruthahn mit Reis, Spinat und den letzten Knödeln – alles zusammen als Curry. Dazu habe ich mir bewusst noch…
Wie jedes Jahr bemühe ich mich, über die Feiertage eine gute Panettone im Haus zu haben. Dieses Jahr selbstverständlich mit einem passenden Pairing…
The house's rosé, formerly Rosé Tom. 12–15% red wine from the house's oldest Meunier vines — 80 years old. Aromatics of red fruits, spices and guava. Awarded Médaille Grand Or Bettane & Desseauve, Médaille d'Or Terre de Vins and Médaille d'Or Féminalises. For charcuterie and tapenade.
55% Pinot Noir · 30% Chardonnay · 15% Meunier · Rosé · 36 Months · Damery
L'Avant-Garde
A Blanc de Noirs from 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Meunier. Aromatics of yellow fruits, mirabelles and hazelnut. Versatile from apéritif to main course. Pairs with tapas, roast chicken or sabayon with yellow fruits. The symbol — a chess rook — represents steadfastness in tradition with an eye to the future.
50% Pinot Noir · 50% Meunier · Blanc de Noirs · 7 g/l · 30 Months · Damery
Les Scellées
With 50% reserve wines, exclusively from exceptional vintages. Aromatics of citrus fruits, fresh fruits and orgeat (almond milk). Awarded Médaille d'Or Bettane & Desseauve and featured in Guide Hachette 2025. Bottled in transparent bottles, protected from light in a gift box. For salmon carpaccio and scallops.
70% Chardonnay · 15% Pinot Noir · 15% Meunier · Brut · 7 g/l · 36 Months · Damery
Ratafia Champenois
Spirit from grape must and champagne alcohol. Aromatics of gingerbread, honey and candied fruits. Can be used as apéritif, with foie gras, melon with Serrano ham, as Trou Champenois (with vineyard peach sorbet), with chocolate desserts or as digestif. Serve well chilled.
Spiritueux · Damery
My Tastings
So far tasted:
- Les Scellées Brut · March 12, 2026
- num. II · Les Miscellanées Brut · January 2, 2026
- num. I · Les Miscellanées Demi-Sec · December 27, 2025
- La Linéale Dosage Zéro · November 4, 2025
- Les Miscellanées Numéro I Brut · October 12, 2025
- L'Avant-Garde Blanc de Noirs · October 8, 2025
Facts
| Category | Récoltant-Manipulant (RM) |
| Founded | 1890 (Auguste Lété & Jeanne) |
| Generation | 4th generation (Frédéric & Laetitia), 5th already active (Clara & Tom) |
| Region | Vallée de la Marne |
| Villages | Damery, Fleury-la-Rivière |
| Grape Varieties | 50% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir |
| Viticulture | Viticulture raisonnée, HVE4, VDC (since 2024) |
| Vinification | Stainless steel tanks (thermoregulated), enameled concrete tanks, malolactic fermentation, manual remuage, homemade dosage liqueur |
| Dosage Range | 0–40 g/l |
| Address | 9 Rue Ernest Vallé, 51480 Damery |
| Phone | 03 26 58 44 50 |
| contact@champagnealete.com | |
| Website | champagnealete.com |
| @champagnealete | |
| RCS | Damery: 423676535 |
| TVA | FR 11423676535 |
Sources for this portrait: house website, own tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.