Champagne Suenen Brand Overview
The Suenen family has been growing grapes in the Cramant area since the late 19th century, with winemaking beginning in the early 20th century. Aurélien's great-grandfather, Marcel, and his wife Simone, were the first to bottle and sell their own Blanc de Blancs under the Suenen name. Aurélien Suenen returned to the family estate after a career in professional basketball, taking over from his father in 2009. He has revitalized the domaine by focusing on the Côte des Blancs, particularly Cramant, Chouilly, and Oiry, and by adopting sustainable, low-intervention winemaking practices. Suenen emphasizes the unique characteristics of the terroir, with a particular focus on Chardonnay grown in the chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs. While embracing traditional methods, Aurélien also incorporates modern techniques, including the use of concrete eggs and demi-muids for aging, and a small percentage of neutral oak barrels. He also ferments with indigenous yeasts and uses minimal sulfur and low dosage. Suenen achieved organic certification in 2019, reflecting his commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture.
