The first records of the Bara family date from the 1600s, in the villages of Bisseuil, Oiry and Chouilly, near Epernay. In 1833, Auguste François Bara, a robust, full-spirited young man, arrived in Bouzy to begin work as a cooper. Three years later, in 1836, he married Annonciade Robert, who was already the owner of some vines.
The Bara property was built in 1860. In the beginning, it was a farm with stables, a cow shed, a sheep pen and a cellar; however, in 1965, the barn was transformed into a press room and a winery.
Paul Bara, the father of today’s owner Chantale, was the first of the dynasty to sell champagne under the brand of the same name in the 1950s. Chantale recalls how this man of character and conviction would often say: ‘We must keep hold of the fields to feed us’. He also wrote a very interesting book retracing the story of his ‘beloved’ village of Bouzy, its people and their wines and culture.
Today , the story continues with the family and a passionate and fatihful team. Filled with the same family values , Stéphanie Ducloux has been running the house since 2021, along with Chantale Bara, President and emblematic figure of the brand. 2023 was an important year with the arrival of Grégory Baert as the new winemaker. Succeeding Christian Forget who after more than 30 years of service took a well-deserved retirement. The house is evolving all the time to meet the current requirements with the sole credo , continuing to innovate and surprise.
This Brut non-vintage, with its stunning aromatic complexity, is the symbol of the Bara savoir-faire. As our signature champagne, it reflects the unique characteristics of the Bouzy vineyards. 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay.
