Veuve Olivier et Fils — Meunier Craftsmanship from Trélou-sur-Marne
Champagne Veuve Olivier et Fils is a Récoltant-Manipulant from Trélou-sur-Marne in the Vallée de la Marne. Founded in 1922 by Edmond, the family's great-grandfather. Today Sandrine Charpentier-Olivier leads the maison in the 4th generation with support from her parents Michelle and Pierre.
The maison farms over 18 hectares across 21 parcels around Trélou-sur-Marne. The focus is on Pinot Meunier, which makes up the majority of the vineyard area, complemented by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
History
Edmond founded the winery in 1922 in Trélou-sur-Marne and began producing his own bottles. His daughter Liliane renamed the brand "Veuve Olivier et Fils" in 1955 and expanded the business together with her son Pierre.
Around 2000, Sandrine Charpentier-Olivier took over leadership of the maison. She continues to run the operation in the family spirit: parcel-based vinification, assemblage from different vintages and grape varieties, respect for the terroir of the Vallée de la Marne.
Vignoble & Soil
The 21 parcels are located exclusively in Trélou-sur-Marne. Pinot Meunier clearly dominates the grape variety profile, complemented by Pinot Noir and a smaller proportion of Chardonnay. The parcels are vinified separately to strategically use the different terroir characteristics in the cuvées.
Viticulture & Sustainability
The maison works according to the principles of Lutte raisonnée — integrated plant protection that minimizes chemical treatments and only applies them when needed. The Charte de Qualité champenoise is respected. Parcel-based management and selective hand harvesting are standard.
Vinification
Veuve Olivier vinifies in stainless steel tanks and uses reserve wines that make up between 30 and 40 percent depending on the cuvée. For the Secret Boisé line, oak barrels are used: 12 months aging in wood, followed by at least 6 years on the lees under natural cork.
The philosophy combines traditional tools — such as the Coquard press — with modern cellar technology. Assemblage from different parcels, grape varieties, and vintages is central, with dosage ranging between 0 g/l (Secret Nature) and 20 g/l (Carte d'Or Sec).
The Cuvées in Detail
Carte d'Or — Brut
The entry-level cuvée with clear Meunier dominance from the Vallée de la Marne. Awarded Médaille d'Or at Féminalise and Bettane Desseauve Prix Plaisir, it shows the house's fruit-forward, accessible style.
Dominance Pinot Meunier · Brut · Vallée de la Marne
Carte d'Or Sec
Base 2020 with 30 percent reserve wines from 2019, dosed with 20 g/l for the Sec style. Honey notes and cinnamon on the finish make this cuvée the ideal companion for desserts and pastries.
65% Meunier / 35% Pinot Noir · 20 g/l Dosage · Base 2020 + 30% RW 2019 · Trélou-sur-Marne
Grande Réserve — Brut
Balanced assemblage from all three grape varieties. Médaille d'Or Féminalise, Médaille d'Argent Bettane et Desseauve, and a star in Guide Hachette underscore the quality of this classic Brut cuvée.
Assemblage Pinot Noir / Meunier / Chardonnay · Brut
Brut Rosé
Am Donnerstag gab’s hier ja schon den Millésime 2018 von @veuve_olivier_et_fils – strukturiert, präzise, fast schon geschäftsmäßig. Heute schalten…
Die Farbe verrät’s schon: Rosé de Saignée – 14 Stunden Maischekontakt. Mehr Struktur, mehr Saft, ein kleines bisschen Tannin – und genau das macht…
Ein gemütlicher Nachmittag mit ein bisschen Zeit für den @veuve_olivier_et_fils – Millésimé 2018, getrunken aus meinen @riedel_official Dom Pérignon…
Rosé d'Assemblage with 6 percent red wine from old vines (Pinot Noir and Meunier, vintage 2018). Base 2019 plus 40 percent reserve wines from 2018. Strawberries, red currants, and citrus notes shape the profile.
60% Pinot Noir / 40% Chardonnay + 6% Red Wine · 6 g/l Dosage · Base 2019 + 40% RW 2018 · Vallée de la Marne
Perle de Lumière — Blanc de Blancs
Pure Chardonnay, base 2021 with 40 percent reserve wine from 2020. 4 years on the lees in stainless steel. Cited in Guide Hachette 2019, Médaille d'Argent Féminalise, Médaille d'Or Bettane Desseauve.
100% Chardonnay · 6 g/l Dosage · 48 Months Aging · Base 2021 + 40% RW 2020 · Vallée de la Marne
Perle de Saignée — Rosé de Saignée
14 hours maceration, old vines averaging 40 years. Strawberry, currant, spicy notes. Médaille d'Argent Bettane Desseauve.
50% Pinot Noir / 50% Meunier · 6 g/l Dosage · Base 2018 · 14h Maceration, Avg 40-year-old Vines
Secret de Cave — Brut
5 years on the lees, assemblage of 55 percent Chardonnay and 45 percent Pinot Noir. Médaille d'Argent Bettane-Desseauve, 2 stars Guide Hachette, Médaille de Bronze Décanter London.
55% Chardonnay / 45% Pinot Noir · 6 g/l Dosage · 60 Months Aging · Vallée de la Marne
Secret Nature — Brut Nature
Non dosée, designed for enthusiasts: rich, intense, without dosage.
0 g/l Dosage · Brut Nature
Secret Boisé — Blanc de Blancs
Pure Chardonnay from approximately 40-year-old vines, base 2015. 12 months aging in oak barrels, followed by 6 years on the lees under natural cork. Médaille d'Or Féminalise 2021, star in Guide Hachette 2019, Médaille de Bronze Prix Plaisir 2019.
100% Chardonnay · 6 g/l Dosage · 72 Months Aging · Base 2015 · 12 Months Oak Barrel, Avg 40-year-old Vines
Secret Boisé Millésime 2018 — Blanc de Blancs
Vintage variant of the Secret Boisé, base 2018. Multi-year aging in the cellar.
100% Chardonnay · 6 g/l Dosage · Base 2018 · Oak Barrel Aging
Millésimé 2018 — Vintage
Balanced assemblage of all three grape varieties, vintage 2018. Powerful yellow fruit, fine spice, gentle bubbles. Multi-year aging in the cellar.
35% Meunier / 35% Pinot Noir / 30% Chardonnay · 6 g/l Dosage · Base 2018 · Vallée de la Marne
My Tastings
- Secret de Cave Brut · 2025-09-27
- Brut Rosé (Base 2018) · 2025-10-11
- Secret Boisé (Base 2015) · 2025-10-18
- Perle de Lumière (Base 2021) · 2025-10-24
- Perle de Saignée (Base 2018) · 2025-12-04
- Millésimé 2018 · 2026-01-22
- Carte d'Or Sec (Base 2018) · 2026-01-25
- Secret Boisé (Base 2015) · 2026-02-25
Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Champagne Veuve Olivier et Fils |
| Champagne Category | Récoltant-Manipulant (RM) |
| Founded | 1922 (Edmond) |
| Current Management | Sandrine Charpentier-Olivier (4th Generation, since ca. 2000) |
| Village | Trélou-sur-Marne |
| Département | Aisne (02) |
| Region | Vallée de la Marne |
| Vineyard Area | 18 hectares (21 parcels) |
| Grape Varieties | Pinot Meunier (majority), Pinot Noir, Chardonnay |
| Vinification | Stainless steel, oak barrel (Secret Boisé line), reserve wines 30–40% |
| Dosage Range | 0–20 g/l |
| Viticulture | Lutte raisonnée, Charte de Qualité champenoise |
| Address | 10 route de Dormans, B.P. 2, 02850 Trélou-sur-Marne |
| Phone | +33 3 23 70 24 01 |
| info@champagne-veuve-olivier.com | |
| Website | champagne-veuve-olivier.com |
| @veuve_olivier_et_fils |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.