Meet Tristan Hyest

When we talk about champagne, some people think of prestige, luxury, and the great houses. I think of Tristan.

🌱 The terroir above all!

It was in Trélou-sur-Marne, a small hilltop village near the Marne Valley, that I discovered a man and his world. Tristan took over his father's estate in 1999, with only 2 hectares. Today, he cultivates nearly ten hectares, still there, around the village, at altitude, visible from the train that connects Épernay to Dormans.

These vines have a soul. They grow on clay soils, bathed in patience and respect for life.

🛠️ Winemaking at your own pace.

Tristan is not a modern winemaker. He works with stainless steel vats, prefers long aging, and doesn't give in to trends. His vintages, often brut or extra brut, tell a story. They include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sometimes 100% Meunier vintages like the Vallée brut.

But what I remember most is that he does things with his heart. He maintains the classic balance that his long-standing clientele loves so much. A balance that his father already used—a subtle link between past and present.

🤝Champagne becomes human.

My first meeting with Tristan was in Reims. He took me by the hand, without fuss, and explained everything: his method, his vintages, his choice of traditional wines. It wasn't just a tasting, it was a discussion. A suspended moment.

When I go to his house, I love this scene, which is always a little magical: the bottles are never ready, they're waiting for me. He's there, in front of me, with his sheets of labels and his calm. He sticks them on while talking, telling us what's happening in his village, in his vineyards, on his estate. I wait, yes, but it's a pleasure. Because I'm with him. Because we're talking about the real thing.

And that truth is what touches me. This artisanal champagne, made by a man who takes his time. And who gives me his.