The History of Maison Philipponnat
Maison de Champagne Philipponnat, located in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, has been established in Champagne for nearly five centuries. The story begins when April de Philipponnat, a soldier of the King of France, was granted land in Aÿ as a reward for the Battle of Marignano in 1515. Over time, the family developed and passed down unique expertise in crafting exceptional Champagnes.
Today, Maison Philipponnat owns 20 hectares classified as Premier and Grand Crus in the communes of Aÿ, Avenay-Val-D’Or, and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and Charles Philipponnat has been at the helm since the early 2000s.
Viticulture and Vinification : The Estate's Philosophy
At Philipponnat, the vines are tended as naturally as possible, with weeding done by hand and plowing carried out with draft horses. In the cellar, the house employs the solera system in oak barrels, which involves aging reserve wine in oak casks for blending with non-vintage cuvées.
Maison Philipponnat is renowned worldwide, particularly for its Clos des Goisses cuvée. Acquired in 1935, Clos des Goisses is a 5.5-hectare hillside plot in a single parcel. Its unique feature lies in its full southern exposure, which imparts wines with phenomenal complexity.
The Wines of Maison Philipponnat
The Champagne Philipponnat range includes the Royale Réserve cuvée, a nod to the family’s ancestors who were winemakers and suppliers to Louis XIV. There are also Vintage cuvées, which each year capture the quintessence of Champagne’s finest terroirs. Finally, the house offers exceptional cuvées such as the 1522 cuvée, single-vineyard cuvées, and the legendary Clos des Goisses.
