Jacquinot Et Fils

In 1947 Pierre Jacquinot, together with his sons Jacques and Jean-Guy, founded the Champagne Jacquinot et Fils brand, and the family business settled into its cellar in Épernay. As early as 1929 Pierre Jacquinot had set up his own pressing business and begun making wines of his own. The house has been based in the Épernay cellars since 1949, and still is today. The company is a S.A.S., and Jean-Manuel Jacquinot runs it.

Vines and way of working

Jacques Jacquinot looked after sales, while Jean-Guy built up the vineyard, which today covers 17 hectares. The estate grows the three classic champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The grapes are pressed gently on the original press from 1929. For the Blanc de Blancs, the house cites certification as a sustainable wine-growing estate in Champagne.

The cuvées

The range is wide. The Private Cuvée is regarded as the house signature and is made up of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. The Blanc de Blancs is a pure Chardonnay from a single plot called «l'Almeida». The Cuvée Harmonie is reserved for the best vintages and combines 80% Chardonnay with 20% Pinot Noir from the estate's oldest plots. The Collection Pierre Jacquinot, a tribute to the founder of the house, is a pure Pinot Noir with 20% aged in oak. There are also, among others, a Blanc de Noirs, a Blanc de Meuniers, Symphonie and a rosé.

Visit and tasting

The house is on the Rue Maurice Cerveaux in Épernay. The chalk cellar was dug by hand in 1873 and lies around 20 metres underground. Tours and tastings are by prior booking only. The cellar can only be reached by a staircase of 106 steps. The tour lasts about an hour and a half. With a tasting of three champagnes it costs 30 euros per person, and the tasting alone costs 20 euros. Private tours are possible.