History
Through centuries and centuries
From Damery, at the heart of the Marne Valley, and with watchful eyes, the members of the Lété family are the keepers of ancestral traditions and values. Being fiercely attached to the authentic know-how of their predecessors, they defend their ideals tooth and nail: a sense of community, love for their heritage, and generosity through effort. A vision with a contemporary edge, pursuing a thoroughly manual method to create wines of the finest quality. A style combining past and present knowledge to better prepare for the future.
The history of our estate dates back to 1890 when Jeanne (the daughter of peasant winemakers) married Auguste, and decided to create Champagne A. Lété.
Long involved in the Champagne cause, Auguste had two children, including a son Jacques. When his father died, it was he, aged just 18, who took over the running of the estate with the support of his mother Jeanne, and was his father's worthy heir, also working for the Champagne branch.
For 3 generations now…
Philippe (son of Jacques) married Annick (herself from a long line of women winemakers) and took over the estate in 1975, developing the vineyards between Damery and Fleury la Rivière.
Since 2010, their children Laetitia and Frédéric have been running Maison A. Lété with dedication and passion. Lété with seriousness and passion.
The recent arrival of Clara (daughter of Laetitia) and Tom (son of Frédéric), the 5th generation of Champagne A. Lété, brings energy, enthusiasm and modernity to the family business.
The woman’s Clan
In this story of emblematic characters, women play the leading role. Auguste founded the company, but it all began with his wife, Jeanne. Her courage, strength of character, kindness and tenacity have shaped a House that has stood the test of time.
A true inspiration to us and to future generations, she was able to leave with a sense of duty done. Other strong women, Germaine and her only daughter Claudine, combined good farming sense with a character that was probably even stronger than that of the Lété family. Their character was matched only by their great generosity, both in their efforts and in their lives.
Our mother Annick worked in the vineyards from the age of 14. She passes on to us her hardworking passion. A role model today for Clara, her granddaughter. Tomorrow, it will be her turn to keep the flame alive, following this womanhood path asserted by the family.
Among this clan of headstrong spirits, the women embody a model of abnegation. Each day, they stand up for their beliefs, affirming with sincerity the values of the land handed down to them and which, without a doubt, will be passed on to other women in the future
Ubiquity as a gift
Truthfully to our know-how and our heritage, Jacques pruned his vines with a shear in each hand. This ambidexterity alone illustrates our temperament, quite close to hyperactivity. As a former member of the Resistance, he felt invested with a mission for the community and was active and involved in many local wine authorities and organizations, dedicating himself to advancing the wine cause.
Even today, his collaborative spirit radiates throughout the House, determined more than ever to preserve both principles and traditions.
Jacques Lété
Dignitary of the Order of the Châteaux of Champagne
