Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE PASCAL HENRY: ‘FAMILY WINES TYPICAL OF THE BURGUNDY REGION’.

“For the Love of the Land”

Pascal and Pascale were destined to meet: both hailing from the village of Saint-Cyr-les-Colons (Yonne), they share a deep passion for wine. Pascal, born at Domaine Pascal Henry, represents the 5th generation of winemakers in his family. In 1986, he took over the family vineyard after studying agriculture. At that time, Pascale worked in the notarial sector but supported her husband at the vineyard whenever her schedule allowed. It took her no more than four years to join Pascal full-time. "My passion for wine and the land quickly caught up with me, and I felt the need to devote myself entirely to the vineyard. So, I left my job," Pascale recounts. Since then, the couple has been overseeing the operation of the estate: Pascal handles winemaking, while Pascale takes care of administration and marketing.

Vines Cultivated with Sustainable Practices

Spanning 15 hectares, the Domaine Pascal Henry vineyard lies between the Chablis and Auxerre appellations, across three communes: Chablis, Chitry, and Saint-Cyr-les-Colons. Specializing in white wines, Domaine Pascal Henry offers a broad range of wines: Bourgogne-Aligoté, Bourgogne Blanc, Chablis, Chardonnay Premier Cru, and also Pinot Noir. "Having vines in three different communes allows us to produce wines with distinct terroirs that are quite representative of the Bourgogne appellation."

Although Domaine Pascal Henry does not hold a certified organic label, all vines are cultivated using sustainable practices. "We minimize pesticide use and perform all harvesting by hand. We always ensure that the vintage can express itself as fully as possible. If the grapes are more acidic one year, we will retain that acidity without trying to alter the grape's taste to make the wine rounder, as we believe this would somewhat go against its nature."

“Wine is a Luxury, a True Moment of Pleasure”

While Domaine Pascal Henry’s ambition is to offer clients a varied range of wines typical of the Bourgogne region, another important value is meeting and sharing with clients. For Pascale, who welcomes visitors to the estate daily for tastings, this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of her job. "Wine generates a wonderful conviviality. It is a luxury that the client indulges in because fundamentally, they don't need wine. So, they come out of interest, desire, or even passion. They are willing to talk about it, take their time, and share their tastes and impressions with us. I love bringing them that satisfaction and moment of pleasure they came for. I remember a day when an elderly couple visited us at the Domaine. When they arrived, they seemed tired from the journey, hunched over with their canes. But when they left, they were smiling. They even forgot their cane!" Pascale smiles.