Atelier Fays: A Siblings' Passion Project in Champagne — PNO and F2F, the First Two Cuvées
In the village of Celles-sur-Ource, in the heart of the Côte des Bar, Manon, Lucas and Adrien Fays have turned a family heritage into a project of their own. Their parents, Laurence and Philippe, are winegrowers, and the siblings grew up among vines cultivated with care since 1985 — nearly two hectares divided into four parcels, 91% Pinot Noir and 9% Chardonnay, on Kimmeridgian soils.
In September 2026, Atelier Fays launched its first two Champagne cuvées. PNO is a pure expression of Pinot Noir — Pinot Noir Origin. F2F — Fays to Face — blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from plots facing each other along the Ource. Both come from the 2023 harvest, spent 28 months on lees, were disgorged in June 2026, and are made with zero dosage.
In this interview, conducted by GEN DE ART, the three siblings answer in their own words — Adrien Fays, Lucas Fays and Manon Fays — on heritage, terroir, winemaking and the table.
PNO, Atelier Fays' first cuvée, 100% Pinot Noir. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays F2F, Atelier Fays' first cuvée, 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays PNO and F2F, Atelier Fays' first two Champagne cuvées. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays PNO, Atelier Fays Champagne. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays F2F, Atelier Fays Champagne. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays
What have you chosen to preserve from your parents' approach, and where does Atelier Fays express your own vision?
Adrien Fays, Lucas Fays and Manon Fays: "Preserving our cultural and family heritage, and everything our parents have passed on to us, is essential to who we are. From an early age, they taught us to respect the land and the seasons, and to be mindful of the world around us: to listen rather than simply hear, to look rather than simply see, to savour rather than simply eat. This attentiveness to detail, to sensations and to the little moments of everyday life has profoundly shaped the way we see things. We grew up immersed in the family estate, learning a considered approach to vineyard management, based on careful observation and precise work tailored to each individual plot. This is something we are naturally committed to carrying forward: nurturing the vines throughout their growing cycle and preserving the balance of their ecosystem. It is a precious legacy. At the same time, we bring our own contemporary spirit to the estate, reflected in our identity, the names of our cuvées and certain winemaking choices. Our wines are given time to mature on their lees for more than 32 months, and are made without dosage, allowing their true character and natural balance to shine through. We are not looking to break away from what has been passed down to us, but rather to build on it, bringing our own sensibility."
Your four parcels have different exposures and soils. Which differences are most apparent in the glass, particularly in PNO?
Adrien Fays: "All four of our vineyard plots are located in Celles-sur-Ource, within a radius of less than four kilometres, yet each has its own distinctive character. They benefit from a variety of exposures, from east to west, as well as from north-west to north-north-east. The clay-limestone soils also vary in depth and drainage capacity. For us, this diversity is a real asset, something to work with and embrace, much like a painter working with a palette of colours. Alongside this diversity of terroirs comes the diversity in the age of our vines, which were planted between 1980 and 1992. Much like people, vines go through different stages of life. Younger vines tend to express greater vigour and energy, while, over time, they develop greater depth. The Côte des Bar has a strong Kimmeridgian identity, a terroir in which Pinot Noir thrives. PNO stands out for its structure and precision, its silky, creamy texture, its depth and a subtle saline note. The absence of dosage helps preserve this balance, allowing the wine's true character to express itself fully."
The Atelier Fays vineyards at Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays Vineyards at Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays Vineyards at Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays F2F in Burgundy oak barrels. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays PNO in barrel. © MaxK, courtesy of Atelier Fays
PNO and F2F share the 2023 harvest, 28 months on lees and zero dosage. Which decisions give each its distinct character?
Manon Fays: "Our two cuvées have distinctly different personalities, even though they share the same foundations. In a way, it is a little like a family of siblings: they share the same roots, but each develops its own character."
Adrien Fays: "Made entirely from Pinot Noir, PNO fully expresses the character of this grape variety on the Kimmeridgian soils of the Côte des Bar. It offers structure and depth, balanced by freshness and salinity. Pinot Noir reveals its full richness, without any artifice. On the nose and palate, you may find notes of red cherry, pomegranate, red apple and mirabelle plum, complemented by hints of brioche and orange zest, although tasting notes are always a matter of personal perception."
Lucas Fays: "F2F, meanwhile, is an equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here, the balance is different, leaning more towards freshness, delicacy and tension, with a profile that is more linear and vibrant. Depending on individual perception, it may reveal notes of pomelo, nectarine, pear and green apple, complemented by nuances of hazelnut, toasted bread, white flowers and white pepper."
Adrien Fays: "These differences also reflect the choices we make during the winemaking process. The quality, balance, ripeness and purity of our grapes call for a restrained approach. We select the vessels according to the grape variety, allowing the wines to express their character: stainless steel tanks for their neutrality and precision, and enamel-lined tanks for their thermal stability, particularly when working with Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay also benefits from aging in Burgundy oak barrels, which helps refine the texture and bring greater depth, without ever overshadowing the wine's aromatic expression. With these first two cuvées, we offer two complementary interpretations of our terroir."
What do the previously filled Burgundy oak barrels contribute to F2F, and how do you balance their influence?
Lucas Fays: "Having studied and begun my career in Burgundy, I have a particular affinity for the oak barrels from that region. Beyond this personal connection, I see oak barrels first and foremost as a tool to serve the wine, rather than as a signature in their own right. We use, among others, barrels that have previously held Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune. Our aim is therefore not to impart an overt oak character, but rather to bring an additional dimension to the wine. This gives F2F a more polished, rounded texture through the mid-palate, where richness meets freshness without ever becoming heavy. The oak works in harmony with the wine, bringing roundness and depth while preserving the tension and precision that are so important to us."
Drawing on your family's connections with food and hospitality, how would you serve each cuvée, and which dish would reveal an unexpected side of it?
Manon Fays: "Food, recipes, markets, restaurants and the simple pleasure of good food have always played a central role in our family life. I have spent more than ten years working in the world of food and drink, alongside chefs and in the wine and spirits industry, while Lucas took things a step further and opened his own restaurant in Vietnam. It is simply something that runs deep in our family, just like our connection to the vines."
Adrien Fays: "One thing is certain: both our cuvées can accompany an entire meal, from the aperitif right through to the cheese course. A well-aged Chaource from our region alongside F2F is simply sublime! Whether PNO or F2F, our Champagnes certainly have their place at the table during a special occasion, but just as much in simpler, more spontaneous moments. Above all, we want our bottles to be opened, enjoyed and shared…"
Lucas Fays: "I love exploring food and wine pairings, finding interesting combinations and discovering what they can bring out in each other. But I also enjoy going back to something simpler: the good old less is more. PNO is very much that kind of Champagne. To me, it really can stand on its own. We've had this feedback several times during tastings with wine professionals: it's the kind of Champagne you simply want to keep coming back to, glass after glass. F2F, on the other hand, opens up a particularly exciting world of possibilities when it comes to food pairing. I especially enjoy exploring umami, and how certain combinations can bring out different facets of the wine. I recently had the chance to taste it alongside bone marrow and sea urchin. It's a pairing I would wholeheartedly recommend!"
Atelier Fays — Manon, Lucas and Adrien Fays — Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar, Champagne. PNO: 100% Pinot Noir, brut nature, dosage 0 g/L. F2F: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay, brut nature, dosage 0 g/L. Both: harvest 2023, 28 months on lees, disgorged June 2026. atelierfayschampagne.com · contact@atelierfays.com · @atelierfays
