The village is nestled in the far reaches of the Laignes valley, on the borders of the Côte des Bar between Champagne and Burgundy. The rolling hillsides emerged during the Jurassic period and growers have been tending its vineyards patiently for centuries. Its name and history are plural, but its reputation is unique: Les Riceys. It is the most sought-after cru in the Côte des Bar. Domaine Alexandre Bonnet has become the symbol and emblem of this unique terroir.

The geology of the Riceys terroir is quite extraordinary for Champagne. It was formed during the Kimmeridgian period, which is part of the Upper Jurassic era, and is very similar to the highly respected Grand Cru area of Chablis, in Burgundy. The subsoils are mainly composed of marly limestone or argillaceous limestone, which helps to create elegant and complex aromas while retaining a generosity of fruit in the wine. The Domaine’s vinifications are heavily influenced by vintage. The final blend is underscored by the depth of the reserve wines, which are selected based on their original parcel and vintage.

One of the challenges in making wines at the Domaine is to release notes of fresh and ripe fruit, sprinkled with spices, over a powerful and vibrant backbone, and blend them together in harmony. Working on each parcel to ensure it expresses its full potential, Domaine Alexandre Bonnet manages to produce six different types of wine from the same grape variety: Pinot Noir.