Discover Champagne Château de Boursault: A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation

Alex, coming from a family of winemakers, has an unconventional journey. Although he initially pursued a career in the automotive industry, the call of the land and the desire to reconnect with his roots eventually drew him back to winemaking.

A New Chapter in a Rich Legacy

In 2015, Alex left his job to join his father at their Champagne estate. “When my father began talking about retiring, I considered taking over the estate that has been in my family for nearly a century. At the time, I was employed but was craving a change. The idea intrigued me, so I took the leap,” Alex recounts.

Champagne Château de Boursault: An Exceptional Estate

Upon joining the estate, Alex undertook a year-long distance training course to obtain a professional certificate as a “Vineyard Operations Manager” from the Avise Viti Campus, located close to the Côte des Blancs. “This allowed me to acquire theoretical knowledge that I immediately put into practice at the estate,” Alex explains.

Today, Alex oversees a team of six: an assistant, a cellar master, and a vineyard manager who supervises three vineyard workers.

Vines Surrounding the Château

Founded in 1927 by Alex’s great-grandfather, Champagne Château de Boursault has been passed down through four generations. Spanning 13 hectares, the estate is unique because all the vines surround the Château, an exceptional feature in Champagne.

“We have everything on the same site: vines, cellars, presses, and tanks. This is a significant time-saver. Some might say it’s risky to put all our eggs—or rather, our grapes—in one basket. However, being situated in the Marne Valley, we are fortunate to cultivate predominantly Pinot Meunier, a variety that withstands climatic challenges well.”

A Delicate Tasting Experience

In addition to Pinot Meunier, which makes up 50% of Château de Boursault’s vineyards, the estate grows Chardonnay (20%) and Pinot Noir (30%), the other key Champagne varieties.

“The most important thing for us is to offer consumers a tasting experience focused on lightness, fruitiness, and structure. The key is to provide a tasting that is all about smoothness. This is achieved through the blend of these three varieties: Chardonnay adds floral notes, Pinot Noir provides power, and Pinot Meunier adds fruitiness.”

Commitment to Sustainable Viticulture

With the “Sustainable Viticulture” and “High Environmental Value” certifications, Champagne Château de Boursault is also actively engaged in environmental viticulture. “We are not organic, but we are committed to using pesticides and herbicides as minimally as possible, which is quite rare in Champagne.”

Château de Boursault: The Legacy of Veuve Clicquot

The estate has another significant asset. Built in 1843, Château de Boursault was commissioned by Veuve Clicquot as a wedding gift for her granddaughter. Almost a century later, Alex’s grandfather purchased it and planted the vines around it.

Today, Château de Boursault opens its grounds to guests for champagne tastings. Developing oenotourism at the estate is part of Alex’s major future projects. “The estate has enormous oenotourism potential that we intend to fully exploit.”

Currently, Alex’s priority is to expand his range of champagnes. He is preparing to release a new cuvée, expected in 2018. Stay tuned…