Champagne Guiborat

Richard Fouquet was one of those crazy young kids who took over his family domaine back in 1996. He immediately set out to identify and isolate their most prized and promising vineyards to produce micro-cuvées that are true to their terroir. He did this when he was merely 21 years - a truly rare occurrence in those days.

The domaine, Champagne Guiborat, was established in 1885 and Richard's ancestors had historically sold their grapes to major Champagne houses before he came along as their 5th generation custodian. In fact, they still sell a good sizeable portion of their 8 hectares of grapes today to Laurent-Perrier. The big change occured when Richard took over the reins as he decided to concentrate all his efforts on the best 3 hectares of his family vineyards, most of which are Grand Cru parcels from the deep chalk of Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry, as well as a vineyard in Mardeuil near Epernay where only Pinot Meunier is planted. It is from this tiny crown jewel of top parcels that Richard and his wife Karine work their magic into a few racy, electrifying, terroir-driven wines that dazzle in their purity and refinement.

Richard and Karine farm organically and sustainably. Vinification and aging are typically carried out in stainless steel vats to preserve the purity of the fruit, and almost always without any malolactic fermentation. Some of their wines do see a tiny amount of élevage in wood barrels before they are laid to rest in the cold underground cellars carved out of chalk bedrock below the winery. No more that 30,000 bottles are made each year.