Our Story

A Name Passed Down Through Generations

The Orban family's winegrowing roots date back to 1929 with **Léopold**.

A true pioneer, he was the first to install a wine press in Leuvrigny, a small village nestled in the heart of the Vallée de la Marne, in the charming Vallée du Flagot. Léopold Orban began producing Champagne, an adventure that would become a true source of inspiration for his son, Gaëtan.

**Gaëtan** devoted himself to developing the commercial side of the business and expanding the estate throughout the period known as the “Trente Glorieuses”, the three decades of economic growth following the Second World War. He dedicated his time to building the brand and skilfully managed sales to market the approximately 40,000 bottles produced by the estate at the time.

At the same time, he built the cellar, winery and even the house where Francis and his family live today, all with his own hands. A remarkable force of nature, he was still ploughing the vineyards at the age of 70 and welcoming visitors when he was almost 90!

In the 1970s, **Pol**, Francis's father, took over the reins of the estate.

He dedicated himself to caring for and developing the property before passing it on to his son, representing the fourth generation of winegrowers.

Francis developed a passion for vineyard work and winemaking from a very young age. As a child, he first followed his grandfather through the rows of vines and later accompanied his father in the vineyards. Francis developed a passion for vineyard work and winemaking from a very young age. As a child, he first followed his grandfather through the rows of vines and later accompanied his father in the vineyards.

Driven by his passion for travel and discovery, and convinced of the excellence of the fruit of his labour, Francis gradually expanded beyond France. His export journey began in Northern European countries, where discerning Champagne lovers discovered the cuvées of Champagne Francis Orban, particularly well suited to their tastes and culinary habits.

Like his customers in France, international buyers recognise the quality of the work carried out at the estate and share in the emotions expressed through the cuvées of Champagne Francis Orban.

Our Vineyard

The estate's vineyards have historically been located around the village of **Leuvrigny**, in the Vallée de la Marne, approximately 15 kilometres from Épernay.

A total of 29 vineyard parcels are spread across Leuvrigny and Sainte-Gemme, covering 7.5 hectares within the Champagne appellation.
The vineyards benefit from particularly favourable sunshine thanks to their south/south-east exposure. These conditions are especially well suited to Meunier, which is by far the predominant grape variety, accounting for more than 90% of the vineyard area.

Pinot Meunier

Francis has a profound passion for Meunier, a grape variety that finds ideal conditions here to express its full character. It draws its freshness from the limestone and its generous fruit character from the clay-rich subsoils.
Chardonnay, representing around 9% of the vineyard area, is planted on limestone terroir. It contributes a distinctive freshness and provides an elegant complement to the blends of future cuvées.

The Vines

Among the Vines from an Early Age

Having grown up among the vineyards from a very young age, Francis devotes his full attention to his vines, the starting point of every cuvée he later presents to his loyal and discerning customers.
 
Early on, he chose to adopt a sustainable and responsible approach to viticulture, reducing inputs as much as possible, completely eliminating insecticides and introducing environmentally respectful vineyard practices.
Ploughing, natural grass cover and mating disruption for pest management are among the methods used by Francis, encouraging the vines to develop and express their own natural potential.
From pruning through to harvest, the vines receive careful yet determined attention.

Très rapidement, il fait le choix de se lancer dans la viticulture raisonnée, limitant au maximum les intrants, éliminant définitivement les insecticides et adoptant dans le travail de ses vignes des pratiques respectueuses de l’environnement. Ainsi, le charrutage, l’enherbement naturel ou encore la confusion sexuelle sont mises en pratique par Francis, encourageant la vigne à déployer ses capacités propres. Depuis la taille jusqu’à la vendange, les vignes font l’objet d’une attention à la fois bienveillante et déterminée.

Haute Valeur Environnementale

At the end of 2018, the estate received **Haute Valeur Environnementale** certification at its highest level, **HVE3**.
This certification recognises Francis's daily commitment to an environmentally responsible approach that continues to evolve. Beyond the label itself, achieving HVE certification represents an important recognition of Francis's pursuit of the most authentic expression of his terroir.

In the Cellar

The Harvest

The grapes from the vineyards of Leuvrigny and Sainte-Gemme are harvested entirely by hand. The harvest is carried out by a team of trusted people close to the estate who share the values and high standards of the Orban family. 
The harvesting strategy established for each vintage ensures that the grapes are picked at optimum ripeness – at the precise moment when the ideal balance between sugar and acidity has been achieved. 
Rigorous grape selection during both harvesting and pressing, using an automatic membrane-free Coquard press that handles the fruit particularly gently, ensures that only the very best is retained.
 
All these choices allow intervention during winemaking to be kept to a minimum – for example through low dosage – enabling the terroir to express itself with purity and authenticity.
 
Reserve wines play an essential role in the blends, bringing not only roundness but also ensuring consistency and continuity in the wines.
 
In his pursuit of an ever more precise, refined and distinctive expression of the terroir – one that reveals it at its very best – Francis explores the emotions he wishes to share with his customers.

La stratégie de cueillette mise en place à chaque vendange assure la sélection des raisins à bonne maturité, c’est-à-dire à ce point précis où est atteint l’équilibre sucre-acide. La sélection rigoureuse des raisins à la récolte et lors du pressurage sur un Coquard automatique sans membrane plus respectueux du fruit, permet de ne garder que le meilleur. De tous ces choix découle le minimum d’intervention lors des vinifications (vins peu dosés par exemple) laissant le terroir s’exprimer avec pureté et sans fard !

Les vins de réserve jouent un rôle essentiel dans les assemblages venant apporter non seulement de la rondeur mais aussi garantissant une régularité sur les vins.

En allant chercher de plus en plus précisément l’expression la plus fine et pointue du terroir - celle qui le sublime - Francis explore les émotions qu’il entend partager avec ses clients.