Creativity often emerges from boredom or constraint, thus the "Agrapart Avize" project was born during confinement in 2020.
Three friends took bold action to create an extraordinary brand in the grand cru village of Avize, nestled in the Côte des Blancs. This pioneering venture aims to transform Avize and generate new value for the entire Champagne region.
This brilliant trio comprises Fabrice Agrapart, a fourth-generation winemaker of remarkable talent; Emmanuel Turpin, president of Agrapart Avize; and Swedish native Johanna Bergsborn Bertilsson, who oversees commercial marketing and investor relations. After extensive and challenging negotiations, they acquired a historic 6,500-square-meter property in the heart of Avize village—formerly home to a hospital, park, retirement home, and church. Spectacular renovations are currently underway, with approximately €22-25 million invested. Within the next 1-2 years, Avize will welcome a gravity-fed production facility and vinification centre, a hotel and restaurant with private grounds, an exclusive members' club limited to 60 people, and an art centre housed within the church.
When it comes to champagne, Fabrice has embraced a four-season philosophy. Just as a vine requires four seasons to produce grapes, the grapes must follow the same natural rhythm to produce wine. The first cuvée, 'Atoma'—100% Chardonnay—appeals to both intellect and emotion. The intellectual dimension lies in the challenge of capturing the distinct character of the grand cru villages Avize and Oger, with vinification split equally between oak and stainless steel. The emotional resonance comes from the wine's history and authenticity. The oak, sourced from Montagne de Reims, imparts an essential sense of terroir. When tasted, this champagne reveals a profile strikingly different from the linear, steely styles typical of the Côte des Blancs. It is more nuanced than it first appears. While 'Atoma' initially suggests a more expressive, exotic style that favours opulence over subtlety, its core remains beautifully fresh.
One remarkable achievement: in 2024, Johanna sold 90% of the 10,000-bottle production of 'Atoma' without a single bottle available to show or taste, as they were still undergoing secondary fermentation in Champagne cellars. She opened 13 markets, from the USA to Monaco. Her passion is simply contagious!
Symbolically, every cuvée from Agrapart Avize begins with the letter 'A'. Why? Because AgrApArt holds a triple 'A' representing Amour, Amitié, and Action (Love, Friendship, Action). Hence the first cuvée 'Atoma,' followed by 'Aurora' Coteaux Rosé and 'Alba' Coteaux Blanc. The company is growing rapidly, with production reaching approximately 140,000 bottles in 2025. The biggest challenge facing Agrapart Avize is scarcity—there simply aren't enough bottles to satisfy market demand—and a shortage of personnel, as this talented trio currently manages everything themselves from A to Z. The appeal of such qualities mirrors the continued popularity of grower Champagnes, which share many of the same principles: small quantities, terroir-driven production, artisanal methods, and a grape-to-glass philosophy.
The future of Avize has never looked brighter. This impressive project, born from a dream and fueled by passion, will draw renewed attention to the grand cru village and emphasize the precision of place. Avize represents an ethos, a state of mind, and a philosophy. It is becoming a brand unto itself, with oenotourism development, an arts center, a hotel, and a restaurant that will generate movement, events, and activities. This renowned grand cru village is poised to exceed its already distinguished status in the capable hands of the esteemed Fabrice Agrapart and his thrillingly passionate and talented partner, Johanna, who brings vibrant Swedish energy to the venture. It's not a question of if, but when, AgrApArt will achieve its triple-A status in the Champagne world.
Photos supplied by Agrapart
