In 1936, after working as an accountant, and then as an agent for a general wine merchant, this man with a strong character bought his first land in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, as well as in some exceptional wine locations, with hills rated from 90 to 100 % on the Echelle des crus (“growth scale”), which would later produce the very best quality Champagnes.
André soon created his own brand. He pressed his first grapes in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ on his wheel-powered wine press. He worked the vineyards with the goal of producing exceptional Champagne.
In 1946, André bought the annexe to the Château Montebello in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, where he set up his offices and his new wine presses. The estate pressed grapes for the greatest names in Champagne. They all called on the expertise of the Charbaut family.