1919
Louis Cochut, a Story Born from Hardship
The story of our House began amidst the turmoil of World War I.
In 1919, orphaned by the loss of his parents and brother during the conflict, Louis Cochut was left in charge of his four sisters at just 16 years old.
He worked tirelessly on the family’s agricultural and vineyard lands in Louvois, south of the Montagne de Reims, which the family had owned since the early 19th century.
Beyond these few plots, he inherited not only his parents’ practical farming wisdom but also an exceptional business acumen.
In his early days, he learned to vinify his wine in small barrels, which he would then load onto his cart and sell door-to-door as night fell.
1950s
The Rise of the Champagne Cochut
Thanks to years of hard work, Louis expanded his viticultural activities and began marketing his wine under the Louis Cochut brand.
In 1956, Louis and his son Max acquired the Château de Tauxières-Mutry.
In the 1960s, a revision of the INAO classifications allowed many of their agricultural lands to be included in the Champagne appellation. Seizing this opportunity, Max decided to increase their investments in the vineyard, paving the way for a prosperous future.
1972
Modernization brought by Max Cochut
In 1968, Max Cochut, together with his friend Marcel Banette, founded the "Cooperative Winery of Louvois" in Tauxières-Mutry, which was established in 1972. This allowed all the winemakers in the area to sell their grapes and market their wines together.
In the same year, and with these new production tools, Max launched his brand under his own name, Champagne Max Cochut.
In 1981, Louis Cochut retired at the age of 79, and Max Cochut decided to merge the two brands.
1990
Search for Independence
In 1990, Max Cochut sought to free himself from the Cooperative and established his own pressing center, winery, and cellars at the family estate. From then on, the Champagne Max Cochut brand achieved the status of Récoltant-Manipulant, ensuring full control over every stage of winemaking.
In the 1990s, Max also invested in forestry management, acquiring more than a hundred hectares of woodland across the Montagne de Reims, driven by his deep connection to the land.
Today
A Passion Passed Down for Four Generations
The beginning of the 21st century marked a new intergenerational transition. Max and his wife Annette gradually handed over the reins to their children, Alain, Martine, and Isabelle, who continue to run the business today with the help of their own children. This makes our Champagne family proud to welcome you for four generations.
For over 100 years, our House has embodied the perfect balance between respect for the terroir, transmission of expertise, and creativity. Each bottle of Champagne Cochut is the result of meticulous work and unwavering passion