Benmar Le Champ Champenoise Extra Brut
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Le Champ is sourced from Apollini Vineyard in the north valley west of Banks, Oregon.
- It is an extended tirage sparkling wine that spent 6.5 years on lees, developing remarkable complexity and depth.
- The name “Champ” has dual meanings for Benmar Wines: it encourages you to be your own champion, and it also refers to the Loch Ness-like creature that roams Lake Champlain, which is depicted on the bottle label.
Varietal: 49% Chardonnay, 51% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: This wine is made up of 49% Chardonnay and 51% Pinot Noir. At disgorgement, an additional 3 g/l of Chardonnay liquor was added for the second fermentation, classifying it as Brut Nature. The grapes were pressed in a Coquard ram press and barrel fermented without French oak. It spent 6.5 years aging on lees.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, vibrant citrus peel and green apple meet toasted brioche, almond, and faint sea spray. The palate is layered and precise — think lemon curd, baked pear, crushed stone — with a persistent mousse and a finish that lingers.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Greg Bybee has over fourteen years of experience in the wine industry, focusing on the Pacific Northwest. He discovered his passion for wine in 2008 while working at Rochioli Vineyards, where he learned to craft Pinot Noir.
As a founding member and curator for Vivino, he gained insights into what wine lovers seek from Oregon wines, which inspired his winemaking journey.
He named his venture “Benmar” after his children, Benben and Marecca, and his wife, Jen, whose photography appears on the labels. Together, they have introduced Benmar wines to the world.