house

Discreet, he’s not used to being the talk of the town. Happy to reserve the exclusivity of his almost confidential position... And yet what a wealth it has to offer!

It’s a Grand Cru, small in size but big in name, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, that Champagne Paul-Sadi invites you to discover. A rare terroir with hidden treasures, revealed by our grandfathers and whose names we’ve combined. We are committed to preserving its tradition of excellence. Both of us take great pride in contributing to the renown of the Belmontois identity, which, thanks to our involvement, holds a distinguished place at the table of Exceptional Grand Crus.

Jérôme et Magdeline Portier

Champagne Paul-Sadi, created in 2012 by Magdeline and myself, Jérôme, was born from a shared desire: to honor my grandfathers, Paul Portier and Sadi Malot. Two humble yet hardworking figures who contributed to shaping the terroir of Beaumont-sur-Vesle and Villers-Marmery. It is with pride that we tell this story, which has shaped both Champagne and our family.

The story begins in 1924 with my great-grandfather Virgile Portier, supported by his wife Madeleine. After the 1911 Winegrowers' Revolt, he bought land to create Champagne Virgile Portier. Becoming a Récoltant-Manipulant, he developed his domain to 8.40 hectares of vineyards and built a winery, cellars, and two presses. In 1937, he commercialized 30,000 bottles—an inheritance passed on to his children, Odette and Paul.

Showing worthiness to continue the legacy

Virgile Portier wanted to pass on the family business to his children. Joined by his daughter Odette, he was waiting for his son Paul, who was hesitant at first but eventually took over the family land after World War II. After his mother Madeleine’s passing, a company was founded in 1960 under the name SCA Virgile Portier, with Odette as a partner and Paul as the manager. After Virgile's death in 1967, his children had already expanded the business, increasing sales to 50,000 bottles per year, sometimes reaching 70,000. The brand even sold in Paris, notably at the Tour d'Argent.

My grandfather had a major advantage: the Grand Cru origin of Beaumont-sur-Vesle, and our historical commitment as Récoltant-Manipulant. At the start of our family adventure, it was rare to produce one’s own champagne. In our village, only three houses claimed this status among thirty or so producers, including bulk sellers and cooperatives. Paul, in recognition of his work, became a pruning instructor for the winegrowers' guild, symbolized by the secateurs, which appear on the cap of our Bellus Mons cuvée. The grafting knife, on the other hand, represents our activity as nurserymen, still practiced by Champagne Sadi Malot.

Paul, married to Renée Espenschied, had two children: Marie-Josée and Jean-Louis, my father. Jean-Louis joined the business in 1969 after his military service and married my mother, Martine Malot, from a family of winemakers in Villers-Marmery. Thus, the Portier and Malot families, united by a shared passion for the vine, continue to make their terroir shine.

Sadi Malot, five generations in Villers-Marmery

Born in 1883, Socrate was the first of the Malots to be linked to viticulture. However, it was his son, Sadi Malot, my maternal grandfather, whose name indirectly references the former French president Sadi Carnot, that the family saga truly took shape in Villers-Marmery. Born in 1920, Sadi took over the family land and founded the Sadi Malot brand, which continues today after five generations. He acquired and rented land from his siblings, supported by his wife Simone Rothier and his father Socrate, who handled the bottling despite the hardships of World War I.

The family business, with 8 hectares of vineyards, started under the status of Récoltant-Manipulant. Sadi stood out with his 4000 kg press, a horse for vineyard work, and a nursery business. He also took care of direct sales, especially to restaurants in Reims.

Merging two histories into one

The marriage of my parents definitively united the Portier and Malot families' stories. As the eldest son, I, Jérôme, was determined to continue this family tradition. Let me now introduce myself. Born in 1976 in Reims, I grew up in a family deeply connected to the vineyard. From middle school, I naturally aimed to work in viticulture and eventually take over the family business. I studied at the Gionges viticulture school, earning my BEPA and BTA in 1996, before serving in the army. The following year, I began working at Champagne Virgile Portier while simultaneously founding the EARL Du Phare with my parents, focusing on our family vineyards and those acquired in Hermonville for the trade. My father's retirement gave me the opportunity to create my own House, Champagne Paul Sadi, equally sharing the land from both families. Thus, 2012 marked the first harvest of our new venture.

I am not alone in this adventure: my wife Magdeline, from Verzenay and with a winemaking background, is with me. She oversees administrative tasks while I handle viticulture and winemaking.

Although we don’t yet know if our daughters, Camille and Laly, born in 2004 and 2008, will take over the business one day, we hope they will.

Ambonnay, Avize, Aÿ—of course. But also Beaumont-sur-Vesle! It’s easy to forget that our commune is one of the top 17 Grand Crus of Champagne, covering 14% of them. A fact that's all too obvious for us and one we’re happy to bring to light—on the contrary. For isn’t the primary goal of Champagne Paul-Sadi to reveal “the unexpected grandeur of a Grand Cru,” that of Beaumont-sur-Vesle?

With an average age of 46 years, our vineyard is balanced between Beaumont and Verzy, the central core. Harmoniously spread across low, mid, and high slopes, from the plains to the forest's edge, from 90m (Beaumont) to 287m (Villers-Marmery). Each parcel has a story to tell. Speaking of Villers, did you know that the highest point of our vineyard is part of our oldest acquisitions? And what would our House be without Beaumont, a parcel close to our hearts and at the center of our operations?

The Clos Virgile, a parcel with hidden character

Created in 1994 from a 24-are parcel in a wooded park, the Clos Virgile was born following a request by my parents to the CIVC. Now the proud owner of a “clos,” my father decided to plant a vineyard there, right by the property and near the historic buildings. The loop was closed. To emphasize its symbolic importance, we created a special container, serving as the case for the 2,000 bottles sold each year. Following my father’s example, I decided to maintain the same distribution: an estate-based blend, 67% Chardonnay and 33% Pinot Noir, only vintage-dated and aged in its original oak vat.

Biocontrol, a Balanced Approach to Ecological Considerations

Committed to sustainable viticulture, we minimize our environmental impact. This approach began in 1997 and is implemented in collaboration with a team of viticultural consultants. This has become increasingly important as it takes a bigger place in our day-to-day operations. Since 2020, biocontrol has been implemented to protect our vines with localized and natural treatments. Through soil work and close monitoring, we have eliminated herbicides on almost all of our vineyards and stopped using anti-rot treatments, starting with the Chardonnay.

Excellence in Every Detail

Guided by perfectionism, we aim for an impeccable product, from the planting of our vines (with Guyot pruning on Pinot Noir to ensure quality harvests) to the picking of the best fruits, destined to express all their potential in our cellars. Closely monitored, our grapes begin their journey, often starting with the Chardonnay from Villers, followed by Verzy and Beaumont.

Collaborating for shared prosperity

Determined to give Beaumont its rightful place among the Grand Crus of Champagne, we are proud to be part of the association of Grands Crus d’Exception. The principle is that 15 winegrowers from 17 villages contribute 235 kg of grapes from their commune to be pressed in a single press. The resulting marc is then aged in oak barrels and sold in magnums under a unified identity, communicated through events in which we all participate together.

A team-based pressing

Because nothing replaces the human touch, pressing is an essential step that requires the collective strength of the team. So, when harvest time arrives, my entire team is mobilized to ensure the proper functioning of our traditional Coquard press, which has a capacity of 4000 kg.

While one of my staff members handles the fractioning, another is stationed in the cellar, and yet another ensures the loading and unloading of the crates, along with weighing the grapes. I move around, supervising everything and stepping in to help when needed.

The wood, beyond Any doubt

The wood plays a vital role in 25% of our vinification process. The majority of the reserve wines are placed in barrels to ensure they remain fully topped. Wood became essential to our vinification starting in 1996 when my father, Jean-Louis, decided to use it for our Blanc de Blancs cuvée. Initially skeptical, I quickly saw the difference it made. Today, part of our wines, including the reserve wines, are aged in oak. Our barrels have previously held 2 to 3 wines from Burgundy, except for our foudre, which had been used for Calvados. What I appreciate most is allowing nature to follow its course, allowing the wines to reveal their magic as they mature.

The pursuit of an œnological signature

The Paul-Sadi cuvees, whether blended or single-variety, each have their rightful place. Chardonnay embodies finesse, Pinot Noir adds roundness, and their complementary characteristics are reflected in each cuvée. While the oenologist supports me technically, I consider the blending process to be a personal task, presenting my creations to the team to gather their feedback. Committed to continuing the family legacy, I strive to meet the modern-day expectations of consumers. For example, the Virgile cuvée has evolved to feature 80% Pinot Noir, and its rosé version, enhanced with 5% Coteaux Rouges, asserts an even more distinctive character.

A Homm’age range that reveals the full power of its character

• Virgile, Grand Cru Brut and Madeleine Rosé, a champagne for celebrations and sharing.
• Simone, 100% Chardonnay Premier Cru, a delight for discerning gastronomes.
• Renée, 100% Pinot Noir Millésimé Grand Cru with woody fragrances.

Our parcel-based range

• Le Clos Virgile, Millésime Grand Cru, the wood in all its splendor, to be reserved for wine lovers.

Our identity range

• Bellus Mons, terroir-based identity, 100% Beaumont-sur-Vesle. Representing this subtle balance, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay harmonize in a vintage ode, aged entirely in oak for the full expression of its character.

Our spirit

• Ratafia Champenois with rose and brick reflections, bringing sweetness and comfort.