Why it matters
The producer
Jules and Auguste Devaux launched the house in 1846. Three women successively directed it. In 1987, Jean-Pol Auguste Devaux, the last of the family line and without an heir, entrusted the brand to Union Auboise. Champagne Devaux is identified as a cooperative based in Bar-sur-Seine.
In 2023, the wider Union Auboise operation had more than 800 growers supplying 1,400 hectares of Côte des Bar vineyards. Devaux's grower members follow a house charter stricter than the appellation requirements, including sustainable viticulture, technical monitoring at key stages of the growing season, and parcel selection for Collection D.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The Côte des Bar occupies the southern part of the Champagne appellation between Bar-sur-Seine and Bar-sur-Aube. Champagne Devaux's cellar is at Hameau de Villeneuve, where the house occupies the Manor of Villeneuve in a wooded park beside the Seine.
The vineyard network shapes the handling of the fruit. Pressing takes place as close as possible to the areas where the grapes are picked. Shortening the journey from vineyard to press helps preserve the condition of freshly harvested fruit before fermentation.
Wines to know
The range in view
The named range includes Augusta Brut and Cœur des Bar Rosé. Augusta Brut combines Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Cœur des Bar Rosé is a rosé Champagne. Collection D uses parcel selection, giving the range a bottle category built around specific vineyard areas.
The Classiques blends use only first press wines, the earliest and gentlest fraction released during pressing. Reserve wines from preceding harvests are aged mainly in oak foudres, large vessels that allow gradual oxygen exchange while adding less oak flavour than small barrels. After secondary fermentation, Devaux gives its Champagnes extended maturation in bottle.