Champagne lies at 48° north — on the same latitude as some of the world’s great cool-climate wine regions.

This northerly position defines its character: a marginal climate where ripening is never guaranteed, and where freshness, tension and precision are everything.

In 2021, P M Hall-Jones, co-founder and proprietor of Domaine Thomson, recognised that Champagne would be a natural addition to the range — extending the idea of wines from two hemispheres.

PM explains:
“I found myself craving light, hope, happiness. It all made me think of Champagne — golden bubbles, celebration, and everything that truly matters in life.”
Our Champagne comes from the Aube, in the small village of Meurville, on the Côte des Bar between Bar-sur-Aube and Bar-sur-Seine. Two rivers — the Aube and the Seine — have shaped this landscape over millennia, carving slopes layered with ancient sediments and fossils, including ammonites and Nanogyra oysters.

Like nearby Burgundy, this land was once under the sea during the Jurassic period. What remains is Kimmeridgian soil — a complex mix of clay and limestone. The clay brings depth and generosity of fruit, while the limestone carries line, minerality, and fine acidity.

Grapes have been grown here for centuries, historically supplying fruit to the great houses of the Marne. The region was formally recognised as part of Champagne in 1927. For much of the 20th century, however, the Aube remained quietly in the background. It is only in recent decades that independent growers have emerged, bottling their own wines — Champagnes with a clearer sense of place, individuality, and intent.

Pinot Noir is the dominant variety of the Côte des Bar, and the terroir here is particularly well suited to it. This was a decisive factor for us — a continuation of the expression of Pinot Noir we pursue across our own vineyards.

We work with two parcels in Meurville, farmed by Karine Borde and her son, Dorian Marchal. Karine’s grandfather, Marcel, established Champagne Gaston Cheq in 1962. Today, they produce the wine — a blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay — carrying both family history and the character of the land forward.

Burgundy is located at 47° north and has produced mythical red and white wines for over 1,000 years. We are privileged to be a part of this wonderful and historic wine community.

PM and David acquired a home in Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy in 2001. And in 2013, with help from close friends in the village, they acquired a small parcel of vines in the lieu-dit of “Les Evocelles”, Gevrey-Chambertin. This gave them the opportunity to work with Gerard Quivy, a brilliant winemaker who makes elegant and gentle wines in a non-interventionist style.

In 2018, the portfolio for Domaine Thomson in Burgundy was increased, with the acquisition of four additional parcels of vines. These include , two  parcels of Chardonnay – one in the lieu-dit of “Les Travers de Chez Edouard” which is AOC Village and lies next to the premier cru lieu-dit of “Derrière Chez Edouard”. The other Chardonnay parcel lies a short distance away in  La Rochepot, and the lieu-dit of “En l’Ormeau sur Saint-Aubin”.  The other two parcels are Pinot Noir vines, in the villages of Mercurey and Mellecey.  The Mercurey vines are AOC Village in the lieu-dit of “Ez Chenes”, while the Mellecey lieu-dit is “les Entrevaux”. Each of these wines is made by Armand Heitz, a young and rising star in Burgundy and a staunch proponent of terroir-driven wine and a keen supporter of organics. In addition, Armand produces a top-end Crémant de Bourgogne for us each year – the Burgundian answer to Champagne!