Abel Jobart

A family estate in the Ardre Valley

The house of Abel Jobart is in Sarcy, in the Ardre Valley, about twelve kilometres west of Reims. Abel and Odette Jobart, both children of winegrowers, brought out their first champagne in 1975 and became Récoltants-Manipulants in 1988. In 2002 their three sons Thierry, Laurent and Vincent took over the estate, and they run it together with their partners. The roles are clearly divided: Laurent looks after the vineyards, Thierry the vinification and Vincent sales.

Vineyards and way of working

By its own account, the estate farms 13 hectares. The plots are spread across several villages, including Sarcy, Poilly, Chambrecy, Faverolles, Lhéry, Hermonville, Marzilly and Leuvrigny. They therefore sit in a triangle between Reims, Fismes and Épernay, in the Ardre Valley, the Marne Valley and on the Massif de Saint-Thierry. On the clay-limestone and sandy soils, the main variety is Pinot Meunier at 80 per cent, with 10 per cent each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Chardonnay therefore plays only a supporting role, contrary to what general descriptions suggest.

“Abel and Odette Jobart, both children of winegrowers, brought out their first champagne in 1975 and became Récoltants-Manipulants in 1988.

The grapes are picked by hand. The house uses only its own grapes, which are pressed and vinified in the estate's cellar. According to Hachette, the estate has held HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification since 2021. Depending on the cuvée and the year, some musts are also fermented in oak barrels when the quality of the grapes allows it.

The range includes the Brut Réserve, the Brut Prestige, the Brut Sélection, a blanc de noirs made from Pinot Meunier, a blanc de blancs and a Brut Rosé. The Hachette wine guide also singles out the three brothers' courage in making a vintage champagne in the Doux style. This style was popular in the 19th century, especially in Russia, and is now kept alive by only a few houses. Gault&Millau gave the Blanc de Blancs Brut 2019 a score of 89 out of 100.

Visits and tastings

The house welcomes guests all year round and offers a personal guided tour with commentary. According to the house, there are also the formats “Journées Découverte” and “Journées Vendange”. Visits are possible by arrangement from Monday to Friday. It is best to book by phone on +33 3 26 61 89 89 or by email at champagneabeljobart@orange.fr.