Champagne Ponson

The Producer

Maxime Ponson is fifth-generation in Coulommes-la-Montagne, in the Petite Montagne sub-region of Champagne. He returned to work with his father Pascal in 2011 and immediately pushed for organic conversion. When Pascal died unexpectedly in 2018, Maxime and his brother Camille completed the organic certification that same harvest — a milestone that was both professional and deeply personal.

The Vineyards

Ponson farms thirteen hectares of Premier Cru vineyards across the Petite Montagne. The terroir here is distinct from the more famous Côte des Blancs or Montagne de Reims — cooler, more exposed, with chalky soils that produce wines of particular tension and minerality.

The Wines

Ponson’s wines are meticulous without being austere. Extended lees aging, partial barrel vinification, and minimal dosage are consistent across the range.

• Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut — Single-vineyard Chardonnay. Partly barrel-vinified, extended lees aging, minimal dosage. The bottle that prompted our first musings post.
• Premier Cru Brut — Classic blend. Precise and structured.
• Rosé de Saignée — Direct press rosé.

The quality makes the argument for organic farming not through ideology but through sheer quality in the glass.

Our Connection

The Champagne Ponson Blanc de Blancs 2018 Extra Brut, purchased from Chambers Street Wines, is the bottle that prompted our first musings post. It is the kind of champagne that makes you pause mid-conversation — structured, precise, carrying a quiet authority.

Details

• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Vineyard: 13 hectares, Premier Cru, Petite Montagne
• Farming: Certified organic
• Winemaking: Partial barrel vinification, extended lees aging, minimal dosage, indigenous yeasts
• Available at: Chambers Street Wines (NYC), natural wine retailers