Gaspard Brochet

History of Gaspard Brochet

The story of Gaspard Brochet is one of a return to roots driven by creative ambition. Born in 1995, son of winemaker Vincent Brochet and nephew of the renowned Emmanuel Brochet, Gaspard grew up at the heart of the Écueil vineyards. After a career as a graphic designer, he decided in 2013 to reconnect with his family heritage. Without formal oenological training, he learned the craft through experimentation, intuition, and a deep passion for wine. In 2017, he began vinifying in a family garage, laying the foundations of his personal project. In 2019, he took over the 3.18 hectares of the family estate, formerly known as Champagne Vincent Brochet.

In 2022, Gaspard unified his production under his own brand, Gaspard Brochet, before reintroducing, from 2024 onwards, the historic name Domaine Les Croix on his labels. This approach reflects his attachment to the family heritage while asserting his own identity. Certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) and in organic conversion since 2021, Gaspard is committed to sustainable viticulture, respectful of the environment and the Champagne heritage, making his Champagnes ambassadors of the Montagne de Reims terroir.

Terroirs and Vines of Gaspard Brochet

Gaspard Brochet's estate spans 3.2 hectares, divided into 14 plots in the Premier Cru villages of Écueil, Sacy, and Villers-aux-Nœuds, at the heart of the Montagne de Reims. These terroirs, composed of sandy, silty, and calcareous soils, lend the wines a distinctive minerality and aromatic richness. Some vines, planted in the 1950s and 1960s, bring a unique depth to the cuvées. Since 2022, the vines have been cultivated according to biodynamic principles, without herbicides or chemical fertilizers, using natural composts produced on site.

Gaspard favors a manual and respectful approach, promoting biodiversity and soil health. The emblematic grape varieties of Champagne — Pinot Noir (dominant), Chardonnay, and Meunier — thrive under these conditions, benefiting from a south-east exposure and an ideal microclimate. Harvesting at full ripeness guarantees grapes rich in aromas, making it possible to produce expressive Champagnes without added sugar, a hallmark of Gaspard Brochet's style.

Gaspard Brochet's Vinifications

Gaspard Brochet's winemaking philosophy is rooted in simplicity and authenticity, with the ambition of revealing the personality of each terroir, vintage, and grape variety. The grapes, harvested at full ripeness, are pressed in a traditional 4,000 kg press, adapted to each plot. The musts descend by gravity into stainless steel tanks for a brief rest, before spontaneous fermentation in barrels of different sizes and origins (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Oregon). The use of a high proportion of new wood ensures the purity of aromas, while the absence of racking and topping-up encourages a slight oxidation, adding texture and complexity.

Bâtonnage, carried out between 15 and 25 times depending on the cuvée, is guided by Gaspard's intuition, adding roundness and richness. Alcoholic fermentation, conducted at low temperature (below 10°C), spans several months to preserve freshness. After approximately 10 months in barrels, the wines are bottled under cork, with a slightly reduced pressure, and aged on lees for 20 to 24 months. Manual riddling, performed over 8 weeks, precedes a hand disgorgement at the end of winter. With minimal dosage (0 to 3 g/L), Gaspard Brochet's Champagnes are distinguished by their purity, elegance, and balance.

Gaspard Brochet's Cuvées

Gaspard Brochet offers a range of unique cuvées, each adorned with an animal name or a symbol, reflecting his creativity and his background as a graphic designer.

Pinot Noir Tome V. Blanc de Noirs: Made from 100% Pinot Noir from the vineyards of Écueil and Sacy, this cuvée is aged in two-year-old barrels. It offers notes of red fruits, white flowers, and a mineral touch. With a dosage of 3 g/L, it captivates with its balance and freshness.

Le Renard - Tome II. Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature: Crafted from Pinot Noir from the Les Croix plot (Écueil, planted in 1959), this cuvée rests on a compact brown sand soil. Undosed, vinified in small oak barrels without fining or filtration, it reveals intense aromas and a silky texture. 

Le Coq - Tome I. Extra Brut: A blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay from Écueil and Sacy, on sandy soils. Vinified in oak barrels without topping-up, it offers a fine bubble and a rare persistence. With a dosage of 2.5 g/L

333.e Brut Nature: This non-vintage cuvée blends Pinot Noir (45%), Chardonnay (45%), and Meunier (10%) from several vintages, sourced from the Les Beaux Bras, Les Prés Mousseaux, and Mont Benoit plots. With a dosage of 1 g/L, it combines fruity richness and salinity.

Lion Pinot Noir - Tome VI. Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut: Made from Pinot Noir from Mont Benoit (Villers-aux-Nœuds, planted in 1985), this cuvée rests on a silty and chalky soil. With a dosage of 1 g/L, it offers a powerful structure and smoky aromas.

L'Écureuil - Tome II. Brut Nature: Produced from Pinot Noir from Les Beaux Bras (Écueil, planted in 1956), this undosed cuvée reveals clay and chalky soils. With 1,230 bottles, it captivates with its depth and finesse.

Pie Chardonnay - Tome V. Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut: Crafted from 100% Chardonnay from the Les Plantes and Les Prés Mousseaux plots (Écueil, planted in 1989), this cuvée offers notes of citrus and a creamy texture. With a dosage of 1 g/L

333.d Brut Nature: A blend of Pinot Noir (70%), Chardonnay (20%), and Meunier (10%) from several vintages, on sandy and chalky soils. It offers a saline and textured palate.

Assemblage - Tome IV. Extra Brut: Composed of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Écueil and Sacy, this cuvée, with a dosage of 2.5 g/L, combines freshness and complexity.

Les Plantes Chardonnay Premier Cru, Écueil Coteaux Champenois: This still wine, made from Chardonnay, expresses the purity of the Écueil terroir in a confidential production.