Champagne Herbert & Co.

Champagne Herbert & Co. feels like what happens when a younger generation of Champagne growers decides tradition is important but also realises Champagne does not need to behave like a dusty luxury museum piece forever. Based in Rilly-la-Montagne in the Montagne de Reims, the estate combines classic family vineyard heritage with a much more modern, energetic approach to grower Champagne.

Thomas Herbert began developing his own cuvées in 2016 while working alongside the family domaine, gradually building a style that feels sharper, more expressive and slightly more rebellious than some traditional houses. The branding alone tells you this is not trying to imitate giant luxury Champagne empires with gold foil and intimidating tasting rooms. Everything feels cleaner, fresher and a little more playful without losing seriousness where it matters.

The vineyards stretch across some seriously impressive territory too, including Premier and Grand Cru sites around Rilly-la-Montagne, Ludes, Verzenay and Mailly-Champagne. Pinot Noir naturally plays a major role here, giving the wines structure and depth, but there’s usually plenty of freshness and precision keeping everything lively rather than heavy.

What makes Herbert & Co especially enjoyable is the energy running through the wines. These are not sleepy “special occasion only” Champagnes designed to sit untouched in cabinets while people discuss investments. They feel vibrant, drinkable and properly alive, the kind of bottles that accidentally turn one glass into an entire evening.

Also, any Champagne producer willing to sell branded stickers and T-shirts alongside grower fizz clearly understands that wine should remain fun occasionally.