Didier & Pascal Picq
Summary
Brothers Didier and Pascal Picq operate their 13-hectare family estate in Chichée, southeast of Chablis town, crafting mineral-driven Chardonnays from Kimmeridgian limestone soils across village and premier cru vineyards. Their traditional approach emphasizes hand-harvesting, exclusive stainless steel fermentation, and extended lees aging with minimal intervention, prioritizing terroir expression and authenticity over marketing or trend-chasing.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Didier Picq, also known as Domaine Gilbert Picq et Ses Fils, is a family-owned estate located in the village of Chichée, just southeast of Chablis town in Burgundy. The domaine has been in the Picq family for multiple generations, with Gilbert Picq passing leadership to his sons in the late 20th century. Today, the estate is managed by brothers Didier and Pascal Picq, with Didier primarily responsible for the winemaking and Pascal focusing on vineyard management. The brothers have maintained the domaine's traditional approach while implementing subtle refinements to enhance quality. Their sister Marilyn Picq handles the administrative aspects of the business, making it a complete family operation. The domaine maintains a deliberately modest profile in the region, focusing on vineyard work and winemaking rather than marketing.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Didier Picq encompasses approximately 13 hectares of vineyards, primarily situated around the village of Chichée in the Chablis appellation. Their holdings include parcels of Chablis village vineyards and several premier cru sites, notably Vosgros and Vaucoupin. The vineyards are planted exclusively to Chardonnay, as is standard in the Chablis region, with many parcels featuring older vines that average 35-45 years. The domaine's vineyards benefit from the classic Kimmeridgian limestone soils that define Chablis, rich in fossilized oyster shells and marine sediments that contribute to the wines' characteristic minerality. Their vineyard sites feature varying exposures, with the premier cru Vaucoupin notably situated on steep slopes with excellent drainage and sun exposure. The Picqs produce a range of wines including Chablis village, Chablis Dessus La Carrière, Chablis Vieilles Vignes, and their premier cru bottlings.
Philosophy & Practice
The Picq brothers adhere to traditional Chablis winemaking methods with a focus on expressing terroir. Their approach begins with meticulous vineyard work, including careful pruning and yield management to ensure optimal grape quality. Harvest is conducted by hand for the premier cru vineyards, allowing for careful selection of fruit. In the cellar, fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, deliberately avoiding oak to preserve the pure fruit character and mineral expression typical of Chablis. The wines undergo complete malolactic fermentation and are aged on their fine lees for 8-10 months before bottling, adding subtle complexity while maintaining freshness. Minimal intervention characterizes their winemaking philosophy, with limited fining and filtration only when necessary. The Picqs focus on producing precise, terroir-driven wines that reflect the specific characteristics of each vineyard site, prioritizing balance and aging potential over power or excessive ripeness.