Pascal Henin

Champagne Pascal Hénin is a family estate on the Rue Jules Lobet in Aÿ. The village is a well-regarded grand cru village near Épernay. As a récoltant-manipulant, the house carries out the entire champagne-making process on site.

Family and history

The family estate was founded in 1935 and taken over by Pascal Hénin in 1989. He and his wife Delphine launched their own brand in 1990. In 1992, Pascal and Delphine merged their two estates. Both come from winegrowing families. Pascal is also a vine grafter, a craft he learned from his father Charles. Their son Romain joined the estate in 2013 as the fourth generation of growers. Before that he had studied viticulture and oenology in Avize and worked for two years at Henri Giraud.

Vineyards and approach

The estate farms 7.5 hectares in 22 parcels. The parcels lie in the grand cru sites of Aÿ and Chouilly, in the premier cru sites of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Dizy, and in the Marne valley at Cerseuil and Troissy. Chardonnay accounts for around 40 per cent, with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier at around 30 per cent each. By its own account, the estate received HVE level 3 environmental certification in August 2019.

The work continues with the next generation. Since 2021, Romain has run the whole family estate together with his brother Thomas. According to iDealwine, it is now certified biodynamic under Demeter. Romain's own cuvées are made with spontaneous fermentation and aged on the fine lees in barriques. No sulphur is added at any stage.

Cuvées, visits and tastings

• L'Appel de la Forêt Extra Brut: 80 per cent Pinot Noir and 20 per cent Chardonnay.
• Le Gamin du Terroir Extra Brut: 60 per cent Chardonnay and 40 per cent Meunier.
• Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru: 100 per cent Chardonnay from vines over 40 years old, aged for six years.

For the cellar's opening hours, please call to enquire. The number is +33 3 26 54 61 50. Visits and tastings are by appointment.