Biography

The Defrance Joel Champagne house is a family business which has passed on its know-how from father to son for several generations.

Its Champagnes are produced with the greatest respect for tradition and modern oenology in the village of Riceys, famous for its Pinot Noir and its Rosé des Riceys.

The Defrance family has been farming prestigious parcels of Champagne and rosé for more than a century.

At the head of the operation since 1979, Joel Defrance succeeds Louis, Roger and Gilbert, he developed the production but also modernized the operation and its infrastructures.

He was joined in 2005 by his two sons, forming the 5th generation. Aurélien, who has developed production, winemaking and marketing techniques while respecting ancestral know-how, and Alexis, who is developing communication and marketing.