Champagne Marteaux Guillaume

Champagne Marteaux Guillaume — Biodynamics in the Natural Amphitheater of Bonneil

Champagne Marteaux Guillaume (also Champagne MG) is a Récoltant-Manipulant from Bonneil in the Vallée de la Marne, Département Aisne. The village sits on the southwestern edge of the Champagne region and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since 2003, Guillaume Marteaux has been running the estate in its fifth generation, after his parents Joël and Catherine switched from Récoltant-Coopérateur to Récoltant-Manipulant in 1996 and began producing their own champagne.

History

In 1996, Joël and Catherine Marteaux decided to stop delivering grapes to the cooperative and produce their own champagne instead. The push came from their son Guillaume, who sought independence from an early age. After studying oenology at the Lycée Viticole de la Champagne in Avize, Guillaume gradually took over part of the operation in 2003 at age 23. He built his own vinification facility himself and began composing his own cuvées — Champagne Marteaux Guillaume was born.

Grandfather Marcel Marteaux was a nursery specialist who supplied numerous champagne houses and growers with vine stocks. Over the generations, a sélection massale was built up and preserved, which today forms the basis for robust, locally adapted vines.

In 2018, Guillaume initiated the conversion to organic and biodynamic farming. After three conversion years, he harvested his first officially certified organic vendange (AB label) in 2022. The 2023 vendange additionally received Demeter certification for biodynamic practices.

Vignoble & Soil

The estate now farms 8 hectares of vineyard across three villages: Bonneil, Romeny-sur-Marne, and Charly-sur-Marne. Guillaume started in 2003 with just 0.75 hectares. The grape variety focus is on Pinot Meunier, complemented by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — exact distribution percentages are not available.

Bonneil itself is a natural amphitheater with 120 meters of elevation difference and predominantly southern to southeastern exposure. The soils are argilo-limoneux and argilo-calcaires with marl and clay layers. A special feature: A sand vein runs through part of the slope, bringing additional diversity to the terroir. Documented annual production is around 31,000 bottles across all cuvées.

Viticulture & Sustainability

Since 2018, the entire vineyard has been farmed without synthetic chemicals. Guillaume uses cover crops, natural compost, biodynamic preparations, and exclusively manual harvesting. The sélection massale, cultivated over generations, provides resistant plants that are well adapted to the climate and soil. Biodiversity is actively promoted.

Vinification

Vinification follows a clear principle: spontaneous fermentation, no fining, minimal sulfur addition (only for protection), no malolactic fermentation. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and partly in oak barrels — depending on the cuvée, between 22% and 100% oak usage. For the non-vintage champagnes, Guillaume uses reserve wines that have been resting in a kind of perpetual system for around 20 years. His credo: "The old wine teaches the young wine how to age." The wines rest between 36 and 72 months on the lees. Dosage is done with grape sugar between 0 and 3.5 g/l (Brut Nature to Extra Brut).

The Cuvées in Detail

L'Indigène — Extra Brut

Blanc de Noirs from 100% Pinot Meunier from vines in Bonneil. Base 2018, 55% reserve wine, spontaneously fermented in stainless steel, 60 months on lees, dosed with 3.5 g/l. Golden copper color, aromas of peach, citrus, and sweet almond. Also available in magnum.

100% Meunier · 3.5 g/l · 60 months · Bonneil (spontaneous, unfined, 55% reserve)

Le Métisse — Extra Brut

Three-way blend of 47% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 23% Pinot Noir, vines in Bonneil and Romeny-sur-Marne. Base 2019, 16% reserve wine, 22% barrel, spontaneously fermented, 60 months aging, dosed with 3.5 g/l. Aromas of vineyard peach, pear, honey, and buttery brioche. Also as magnum (600 bottles).

47/30/23 M/C/N · 3.5 g/l · 60 months · Bonneil, Romeny (spontaneous, 22% barrel, 16% reserve)

Infusion — Rosé de Saignée Brut Nature

Saignée from 80% Meunier, 20% Chardonnay, vines in Romeny-sur-Marne (complantée). Base 2022, 0% reserve wine, completely fermented in barrel, spontaneous, 36 months aging, Brut Nature (0 g/l). Cranberry, black cherry, vanilla — almost red wine-like structure.

80/20 M/C · 0 g/l · 36 months · Romeny, complantée (spontaneous, barrel, 0% reserve)

Le Métèque — Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

100% Chardonnay from parcels in Bonneil and Charly-sur-Marne on argilo-calcaire and sand. Base 2020, 26% reserve wine, 33% barrel, spontaneously fermented, 48 months aging, dosed with 1 g/l. Citrus, minerality.

100% C · 1 g/l · 48 months · Bonneil, Charly (spontaneous, 33% barrel, 26% reserve)

Esprit Terroir — Brut Nature Millésimé 2018

2018 vintage from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, vines in Bonneil. Spontaneously fermented, 100% barrel, no malolactic fermentation, 72 months aging, Brut Nature (0 g/l). Rich golden color, deep aromatics, natural micro-oxygenation, tannic backbone. Freshness, minerality, exotic fruits, saffron-like spices. Can be decanted 20 minutes before serving.

85/15 C/N · 0 g/l · 72 months · Bonneil Millésime 2018 (spontaneous, 100% barrel, no reserve)

Complètement Marteaux — Ratafia Champenois

Not champagne, but Ratafia: 77% fresh grape juice (Pinot Meunier) with 23% Fine de Champagne. Base 2023, 24 months aging in oak barrel (September 2023 to September 2025). Ruby color, aromas of red berries and intense black cherry. Collector's Edition 4.5 L on request.

77% Meunier juice, 23% Fine · 24 months barrel · Bonneil 2023

My Tastings

• L'Indigène Extra Brut · 2025-01-11
• Infusion · 2025-01-18

Facts

Category	Récoltant-Manipulant (RM 67019)
Founded	1996 (Joël & Catherine Marteaux)
Management	Guillaume Marteaux (since 2003, 5th generation)
Location	Bonneil, Vallée de la Marne, Aisne (02)
Vineyard	8 ha (Bonneil, Romeny-sur-Marne, Charly-sur-Marne)
Grape varieties	Pinot Meunier (main variety), Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Soils	Argilo-limoneux, argilo-calcaires, marl, clay, sand vein
Viticulture	Biodynamic, AB & Demeter (conversion from 2018, organic from 2022, Demeter from 2023)
Specialties	Spontaneous fermentation, no MLF, 36–72 months lees aging, perpetual reserve ~20 years, dosage with grape sugar
Production	~31,000 bottles (documented)
Website	champagne-mg.com
Instagram	@champagnemgmarteauxguillaume

---

Sources for this portrait: Producer website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.