Agrapart & Fils
Summary
Agrapart & Fils is a family-owned grower-producer operating 12 hectares of predominantly Chardonnay vineyards across the Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs, where chalky soils and mature vines averaging 40 years contribute depth to their terroir-focused champagnes. Their traditional approach emphasizes organic farming, indigenous yeast fermentation, extended lees aging, and minimal dosage, allowing each cuvée to transparently express the distinctive character of their exceptional vineyard sites.
Heritage & Leadership
Agrapart & Fils was established in 1894 by Arthur Agrapart in the village of Avize in Champagne's Côte des Blancs. The domaine has remained in family hands through four generations, with Pascal Agrapart currently at the helm since taking over from his father in 1984. Pascal works alongside his brother Fabrice, maintaining the estate's focus on terroir-driven champagnes. The family's deep connection to Avize has allowed them to acquire and maintain prime vineyard parcels in the Côte des Blancs over more than a century, building a reputation for precision and vineyard-focused winemaking. Under Pascal's leadership, the house has refined its approach to viticulture and winemaking, emphasizing minimal intervention and the expression of individual terroirs.
Vineyards & Wines
Agrapart & Fils cultivates 12 hectares of vineyards, with the majority located in Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Cramant, Oger, and Oiry. Their holdings also include parcels in the Premier Cru village of Avenay Val d'Or. The vineyards are predominantly planted to Chardonnay (95%), with small amounts of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The estate's parcels feature the classic chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs, with variations in topsoil depth and limestone composition across different sites. Many of the vines are mature, with an average age of 40 years, and some parcels containing vines over 60 years old. The domaine produces several distinct cuvées, including the blended Terroirs, the single-village Minéral from Avize and Cramant, the single-vineyard Vénus from old vines in Avize, and the Complantée, which incorporates all seven permitted Champagne varieties co-planted in a single vineyard.
Philosophy & Practice
Pascal Agrapart employs traditional viticultural methods, including horse plowing in select vineyards to minimize soil compaction. The domaine practices organic farming techniques across their vineyards, though they do not pursue formal certification. Harvest is conducted by hand, with careful sorting in the vineyard. In the cellar, Agrapart ferments with indigenous yeasts exclusively in small oak barrels and stainless steel tanks, avoiding malolactic fermentation for most cuvées to preserve acidity and freshness. The wines typically age on their lees for a minimum of three years, with some cuvées seeing extended aging of five years or more. Dosage is kept minimal, typically between 2-5 g/L, to maintain transparency of terroir expression. Agrapart employs a perpetual reserve system for some cuvées, blending a portion of wine from previous vintages to add complexity. The house bottles without fining or filtering and uses minimal sulfur additions, reflecting their commitment to expressing the nuances of their vineyard sites with minimal intervention.