François Lhotte, vineyard estate manager at Moët & Chandon, defines Fort Chabrol as "the emblem of a House with an innovative spirit, which respects the knowledge already acquired". In 1899, it was indeed this spirit, which led two brothers Raoul and Gaston Chandon de Briailles to create in Épernay, the first professional school for viticulture: Fort Chabrol. This answered two needs: firstly, to develop scientific research on grafting to combat the devastation of phylloxera and secondly, to transfer this new technique to the vine-growers in the Champagne region.
     A true revolution in Champagne, Fort Chabrol gradually became the living heart of the collective struggle against phylloxera. The replanting of the vines throughout Champagne was initiated by this driving force, which reunited the energy of all the Vine-growers and Houses. The researchers together with their vine-growing partners made up a type of "sacred union" to battle against this insect.
      This research allowed Champagne grape-varieties to be grafted onto American rootstocks, so conserving all of their characteristics. Fort Chabrol, the grafting workshop for the whole Champagne region, allowed the replanting of 115 hectares of vines from 1898 to 1911, and 211 hectares from 1911 to 1925. François Lhotte emphasises "the point of honour of these researchers: to work with complete respect for both cultivation methods and the quality of the vines".

"Maintaining the spirit of Fort Chabrol"

      Essential as a research laboratory, Fort Chabrol was the place par excellence for training the vine-growers. Awarding diplomas recognised within the profession and even organising grafting competitions, "Fort Chabrol became part of the collective heritage in the memories of the people of Champagne". It keeps the memory of past times alive with a complete meteorological station, which has recorded temperature levels since the end of the 19th Century.
      The research activity of the Champagne Viticultural Association (AVC) having been transferred to the Champagne Technical Institute (ITC), the site has lost much of its importance, but it remains an exceptional architectural and historical place. It is a true memorial to the capacity of the people of Champagne to reunite and act as one. The neighbouring vines of the House of Moët indeed continue to be available for the technical services of both the Vine-growers and the Houses. Although Fort Chabrol has been transformed into a museum, "the spirit of the Fort Chabrol stays well and truly alive, whether in the laboratories of Moët & Chandon or for those who continue to work on the development of viticulture over the next 20 years with quality as their priority aim".