 Jacques Diebolt's family came to the Côte des Blancs from Alsace in the nineteenth century. His father farmed a small 5 acre holding in the Grand Cru Cramant, which Jacques inherited at the young age of 17. Diebolt's grandfather (still alive at the time) had the most profound effect on Jacques, and under his grandfather's tutelage, Jacques bottled his first Champagne in 1959. In 1960, he married Nadia Vallois, who was the daughter of another grower in Cramant. Nadia brought to the marriage another small plot in Cramant, and they renamed the estate Diebolt-Vallois to reflect their partnership. The estate has grown to include Premier Cru holdings, and the children contribute fruit from their own holdings. Diebolt-Vallois releases a tiny amount of Champagne each year that, as Jacques says is, "...Champagne as my grandfather made." Most is sold to the top restaurants in Europe, with little left for export. |
