A Family business founded in the 19th centuryMarie Ambal

The Maison VEUVE AMBAL was founded in the heart of the Burgundy wine-growing regions.Marie AMBAL was married to a Parisian banker. After his death she returned to her native village of Rully, where her brother still lived. He was an owner and merchant of Burgundy wines.This time saw the beginnings of the champagne method. Marie was interested in it and decided to create her own Maison in 1898. To begin with, she produced both red and white high-quality champagne-method sparking wines. She worked to make the Maison flourish in economic and quality terms. When she died in 1929 the reins passed to her grandson, Charles Roux-Ambal.

A Family business founded in the 19th centuryCharles Roux, her grandson

Born in 1909, Charles Roux hadn't reached 20 years old when he took over control of the Maison his grandmother had created years earlier.He spent his entire life actively involved in the interprofessional life of the Burgundy growers and remained at the head of the Maison until 1988 when he passed the baton to his grandson, Eric Piffaut.During those years, he continually focussed on applying the rigorous work standards instilled by Marie AMBAL.

A Family business founded in the 19th centuryÉric Piffaut, the current managing director

Eric Piffaut, Charles Roux' grandson, joined the family Maison in 1980 and became its CEO in 1988. He has continued to maintain the Maison's dynamism through the quality of its wines and the performance of the production facilities. Through his efforts, VEUVE AMBAL has become the main producer and the leading brand of Crémant de BourgogneToday, VEUVE AMBAL has achieved a high level of quality and has been awarded the following certifications:- International Food Standard (IFS) version 5 (food safety)- British Retail Consortium (BRC) version 5 (food safety)- ISO 14001 (environmental management)- AB (processing organically-grown grapes).

Constantly improved qualityOur employees, guarantors for good wines

The VEUVE AMBAL Maison has a close relationship with the men and women who form its teams and continue the tradition of a job well done. Today it employs 85 people.They include 6 oenologists and one Quality and Environment manager, who help monitor the production of wines and more than 200 ha of vineyards of which VEUVE AMBAL is the owner-grower, and supervise all the vintages.

Constantly improved qualityCremant de Bourgogne becomes an AOC

In 1975 the quality of this traditional product, perfected by VEUVE AMBAL since 1898, was recognised by the award of an "appellation d'origine contrôlée" (registered designation of origin). The designation guarantees that the grapes came from a specific region, and also that the production method has been strictly supervised.For example, to obtain the "Crémant de Bourgogne" designation, the Burgundy vines must be picked by hand and placed in ventilated crates to avoid squashing the grapes. This emphasis on keeping the bunch intact allows the grape to retain all its qualities, thus allowing our wines to express all their flavours.

Constantly improved qualityQuality rewarded

The quality of VEUVE AMBAL's wines has always been recognised. The Maison's first honour dates from 1908 when it received the diploma of honour at the Franco-British Exhibition.Since then, the various vintages have obtained hundreds of awards in the most prestigious of competitions: Concours Général Agricole (General Agricultural Competition), Concours National des Crémants (National Crémant Competition), Concours des grands Vins de France (Great Wines of France Competition), Effervescents du Monde (Sparkling Wines of the World), etc.

Relocation to Beaune, the Burgundy wine capital

After spending over a century at Rully in its original cellars, the VEUVE AMBAL Maison moved closer to Beaune in 2005.The site, just off the A6 motorway, is a real showcase for Burgundy. It presents the region and its Crémant, fruit of the Maison, of which the VEUVE AMBAL brand is the best-known for the AOC.The site is open to the public all year round. Come and visit!