Pascal Walczak

The Pascal Walczak house is based in Les Riceys, the largest wine-growing commune of the Côte des Bar in the Aube département. Pascal Walczak comes from a family of growers and founded his own estate in 1973. With patience and persistence he acquired his first plots in Les Riceys. His son Sébastien joined him in the 2000s, and today the two run the estate together.

Vineyards and working methods

The family estate farms 10 hectares of vines in the heart of the Côte des Bar. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate. The stated aim is to show Pinot Noir and the Kimmeridgian terroir at their best.

The estate is not organic but works sustainably, and is certified Terra Vitis. No herbicide is used on the vines. The estate is moving towards precision viticulture to keep inputs to a minimum. In the cellar, a temperature-controlled fermentation room and a large number of tanks make it possible to vinify the wine of each plot separately. Part of the wines is aged in oak, which is meant to bring roundness and finesse.

Champagne and Rosé des Riceys

Les Riceys is the only wine village in Champagne with three appellations. Walczak makes all three: champagne, Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys, a rare macerated wine made for cellaring.

The range includes the following champagnes, among others:

• Cyriès Millésimé and Belle Insolite as vintage cuvées
• Notre-Dame de Paris, Blanc de Noirs, Rosé de Macération and Rose de Vignes
• Cuvée Douceur Rosé, demi-sec: 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, 24 to 36 months on the lees

Visits and tastings

The house offers tastings and guided visits. According to the Champagne trade body, the cellar is open Monday to Saturday, and booking is requested. If you would like to stay longer, there is a champagne gîte called "Les Perrières" and a pitch for motorhomes. Address: 7 Rue de la Presle, 10340 Les Riceys.