Phillipe Gonet

7th generation family growers beginning in 1830, now at the helm brother and sister team; Pierre and Chantal Gonet. Based in Le Mesnil (1 of the 17 Grand Cru villages in Champagne), at the heart of Champagne’s famous Cote des Blancs, situated in proximity to the Clos de Krug and to the grounds of the acclaimed Salon. Pierre is totally connected to the land he farms, to be found either in the vineyards or in the cellars. Chantal spends her efforts travelling the world, with grace and energy, expanding their export markets through individual connections, searching for that perfect fit and new homes for their limited production Champagnes.

“The sole intention is to convey the pure beauty of the alliance between the cellar and the vine”. For Pierre, the creation of wines of terroir; precise, delicate, defined. In Mesnil-sur-Oger, the Gonets’ grow 11 acres of vines out of 47 acres, divided in 45 plots, 11 terroirs including a plot of old vines planted in 1929. They grow in the care of a discerning, responsible and sustainable agriculture. Sorted plot by plot, the grapes are slowly pressed, in alignment with the traditional use of the vertical press of Champagne, bringing out the polymorphic character of terroirs. The juices are then isolated and left to settle in the new ultra-fragmented cuverie, an intimate and infinitesimal approach.

Producing a range of some ten individual and unique cuvees, with a strong focus on pure and individual expressions. From Brut to Belementia (only produced in the very best vintages), the champagnes of Philippe Gonet are often spectacular; fine, delicate, generous and rewarding. A hidden gem, it took James over 8 years just to find them. The result, a solid partnership and a very bright future for their Champagnes in the UK.