Pascal Doquet
Champagne

Based in Vertus at the heart of the Côte des Blancs, Champagne Pascal Doquet is widely respected for its precision, purity, and conscientious farming. Founded by Pascal Doquet, a grower‑producer deeply connected to the vineyards he grew up in, the estate has become a reference point for wine lovers of terroir‑driven Champagne. An early adopter of organic viticulture in the region, the champagnes produced by Doquet are celebrated for their clarity, energy, and faithful expression of site.

History and Background

Pascal Doquet took over his family estate, Doquet‑Jeanmaire, in 1995 upon his father's retirement. In 2004, after the family estate was divided, he established his own domaine under the name Champagne Pascal Doquet. His environmental commitment began early: chemical herbicides were eliminated by 2000, and the estate achieved full ECOCERT organic certification in 2010. While not biodynamic‑certified, Pascal employs several biodynamic‑inspired practices to support soil vitality and ecological balance, reinforcing his dedication to transparent, terroir‑driven wines.

Vineyard and Terroir

Pascal Doquet farms just under 9 hectares of vineyards across the Côte des Blancs, with key parcels in Vertus, Le Mesnil‑sur‑Oger, Oger, Bergères‑lès‑Vertus, and Villeneuve. His holdings include notable sites such as Le Mont Aimé and the old‑vine parcel Champ d’Alouettes, both prized for their distinctive chalk signatures. The region’s deep Campanian chalk underpins the finesse, tension, and longevity found in the estate’s wines. Chardonnay dominates the plantings, supported by small amounts of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Vineyard work follows strict organic principles, with ploughing, organic composts, and precise canopy management encouraging deep, healthy root systems and balanced growth. The overarching aim is to let each parcel speak clearly, preserving the natural character and mineral identity of every site.

Robert Parker listed Clos des Papes as one of the Top 155 Producers in the World.

Winemaking Philosophy

Pascal Doquet’s cellar approach reflects his belief that “It’s the viticulture that makes the difference, not the vinification”. Harvesting is done entirely by hand, with strict sorting both in the vines and at the press. Grapes are pressed pneumatically, keeping only the finest portion of the cuvée. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, primarily in enamel‑lined tanks, with older neutral barrels used selectively (notably for the Coeur de Terroir range). The vins clairs rest on their gross lees for at least five months with minimal bâtonnage. Most cuvées undergo malolactic fermentation, and the wines age a minimum of three years on lees before disgorgement, with many seeing significantly longer ageing. Overall, the resulting style is defined by purity, tension, and a transparent expression of each site.

Signature Wines

Pascal Doquet’s range highlights the purity and mineral expression of the Côte des Blancs through a series of terroir-focused cuvées sourced from prized sites:

Blanc de Blancs NV: The estate’s reference wine, blending Côte des Blancs parcels to produce a vibrant, energetic expression of house style.

Premier Cru & Grand Cru Cuvées: Wines like Arpege Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1er Cru Mathusalem NV and Diapason Grand Cru Le Mesnil Sur Oger Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV showcase the increased depth and chalk-driven intensity of their classified villages.

Single-Site & Old-Vine Wines: Bottlings such as Le Mont Aimé Premier Cru and the rare Champ d’Alouettes Grand Cru from old vines in Mesnil reveal profound terroir nuances, combining complexity, salinity, and exceptional ageing potential.

Recognition and Impact

Over the past two decades, Pascal Doquet has become widely recognised as one of Champagne's most thoughtful and terroir‑driven vignerons. His early adoption of organic farming and meticulous vineyard work have earned him broad respect, while his focus on soil vitality and low‑intervention winemaking has influenced a broader shift toward conscientious viticulture in the Côte des Blancs. This philosophy culminates in a celebrated portfolio of serious yet refined wines. Each cuvée offers a clear, terroir‑driven voice, expressed through a signature profile of mineral intensity, precision, and impressive aging potential.

Among grower‑Champagne producers, Pascal Doquet stands apart. More than a producer, the estate is a standard‑bearer for a philosophy in which organic stewardship and thoughtful, biodynamic‑inspired farming yield wines of remarkable purity and terroir‑driven precision. To taste these wines is to understand a philosophy of purity and place. From its pioneering organic viticulture to its precise, mineral-driven expressions, Pascal Doquet delivers a compelling and authentic taste of the Côte des Blancs. As the estate looks ahead, its focus remains on thoughtful evolution, ensuring that every bottle continues to speak with honesty, vitality, and grace for generations to come.

"It boasts a cool, fresh nose of strawberries, cola and tree bark, yet it's full-bodied and tannic on the palate."

WA96 by Joe Czerwinski

2017 Clos des Papes • Chateauneuf du Pape

He blends grapes from his different plots to co-ferment in large vats, after which he then re-blends in to large 20-55 hectoliter wooden foudres (casks) to mature for 15 months. New or small barrels are never used, “I like the oak to make an indirect impact – I only want tannins from the grape skins not even the pips and certainly not the stalks” says Avril. And though it may not be widely known, this domaine has been buying corks from the same producer in Portugal ever since 1926!

The wines are no doubt enticing, garnering great praise from many publications and critics such as Wine Spectator who awarded their 2005 vintage as “Wine of the Year”, stating that “in the Southern Rhône's recent trio of great vintages starting with 2003, no other Châteauneuf-du-Pape domaine has produced better wines than Clos des Papes”. But the accolades don’t stop there, as Robert Parker followed on to pronounce the 2007 vintage “the greatest Chateauneuf du Pape made since 1978 and 1990”.

We at Ginsberg+Chan are extremely proud to be the exclusive distributors of Clos des Papes, and with good volumes of both red and white back vintages too, we can ensure you a wide range of drinking windows for your cellar.

Available Wines From Pascal Doquet