Gatinois

At the foot of the church tower in Aÿ lives a winemaking family that has been rooted here for twelve generations. The line goes back to 1696, the time of Dom Pérignon. The Gatinois name only came into the picture through the marriage of Marie Michel-Le Cacheur to Charles Gatinois. That marriage took place in 1921.

Family and generations

After the Second World War, Emile and Micheline Gatinois took over the estate. Their daughter Marie Paule married Pierre Cheval, who took over the business in 1980. Pierre Cheval was involved far beyond his own cellar: he co-founded the Villa Bissinger and chaired the association for the Champagne landscapes, whose work led to their inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015. He died on 14 January 2016.

His son Louis Cheval took over the estate in 2010, having first worked as a geologist. Other sources call him a hydrogeologist. He is responsible for every stage of production, from vineyard to cellar.

Vineyards and style

Gatinois works as a récoltant-manipulant, using only its own grapes. The vineyard area is just over seven hectares in Aÿ, and the figures vary by source between 7 and 7.5 hectares. Aÿ lies in the Marne valley and is one of the seventeen Grand Cru villages of Champagne. The varieties grown are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A defining feature is the massal selection Le Petit Pinot d'Aÿ. Accordingly, Pinot Noir dominates the blends.

In the winery the house favours restraint. Pierre Cheval spoke out against new oak, and Gatinois holds that the stainless steel tank is the best route to a champagne that reflects its terroir. Production remains small: just under 50,000 bottles reach the market under the Gatinois name.

The cuvées

• Grand Cru Brut Tradition: 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, 30% reserve wines, at least two years on the lees, 7 g/l dosage
• Grand Cru Rosé: 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, of which 6% is vinified as red wine
• Aÿ Rouge: a red Coteaux Champenois

You will find the house at 7 Rue Marcel Mailly in Aÿ. Contact details and current information on visits and tastings are available at champagnegatinois.com.