Champagne Philipponnat

The Philipponnat family connection to Champagne viticulture stretches back to 1522 under Apvril Le Philipponnat, making this one of the region's oldest viticultural dynasties. The modern house was formally established in 1910 in Mareuil-sur-Ay, a Premier Cru village on the southern bank of the Marne valley. The defining moment in the house's modern identity came in 1935, when Philipponnat acquired the Clos des Goisses vineyard and began producing what would become recognized as Champagne's first single-vineyard wine. Charles Philipponnat, the 15th generation of the family, has led the house since 1999 and oversaw the completion of the Clos des Goisses monopole in 2019.

• Family roots in Champagne viticulture documented from 1522
• Modern house founded 1910 in Mareuil-sur-Ay
• Clos des Goisses acquired 1935; pioneered single-vineyard Champagne
• 15th-generation Charles Philipponnat at the helm since 1999

Clos des Goisses is one of the most singular terroirs in all of Champagne. The 5.83-hectare walled vineyard sits on a dramatically steep slope ranging from 35 to 45 degrees, fully south-facing toward the Marne river. The subsoil is pure chalk, providing exceptional drainage and a consistent mineral foundation for the vines. The combination of slope angle and southern exposure creates the warmest microclimate in the Champagne region, with a mean growing season temperature 2.7°F higher than regional averages. This thermal advantage allows for fuller phenolic ripeness and drives the vineyard's reputation for intensity and longevity. Pinot Noir dominates the plantings, with Chardonnay making up the balance.

• South-facing slope at 35 to 45 degrees incline
• Pure chalk subsoil throughout the vineyard
• Mean growing season temperature 2.7°F above regional average
• Planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Pinot Noir dominant

Philipponnat holds vineyards classified across both Grand Cru and Premier Cru designations within the Champagne AOC, with a total estate of 20 hectares. Clos des Goisses itself sits within the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Ay and achieved full monopole status in 2019. Owning a monopole of this scale and profile is rare in Champagne, placing Philipponnat in a select category of grower-inflected houses with deep territorial identity. The house produces a range of cuvees beyond Clos des Goisses, drawing on its broader vineyard holdings across the region.

• Total estate of 20 hectares across Champagne
• Vineyards classified at both Grand Cru and Premier Cru levels
• Clos des Goisses reached complete monopole status in 2019
• Based in Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Ay

The wines of Philipponnat, particularly Clos des Goisses, are known for their power, intensity, and remarkable aging potential. The Pinot Noir-dominant character of the Clos drives a structured, vinous profile with depth and complexity that sets the wine apart from lighter, more delicate Champagne styles. The warmth of the terroir contributes to fuller fruit expression and phenolic weight, while the pure chalk subsoil preserves mineral precision and tension. These are Champagnes built for the cellar, with the finest vintages capable of decades of development.