The Producer
With only 6000 cases produced a year, Agrapart is a coveted Grower's with a three-star rating in La Revue du vin de France’s Le guide des meilleurs vins de France (the highest possible rating). This is the same rating granted to Selosse, Egly and Krug and only seven Champagne estates in total. This stellar Domaine now deserves to be counted among the very finest producers in the region.
The House was founded in Avize by Arthur Agrapart at the end of the 19th century and extended by his grandson Pierre in the 1950's-1960's. Since its creation the Champagne Agrapart and Sons is a Champagne maker vintner (R.M.). The vineyards are found mainly in Avize, Oger, Cramant and Oiry, all Grand Cru from the Côte des Blancs. This geographical situation, right in the heart of the Champagne region and in the villages classed Grand Cru, is exceptional.
The champagne maker vintner has the privilege of mastering at all times the maturing of the grapes and hence the progression of his wine. Working the soil with organic/biodynamic practices, coupling with low yields and natural ferments and especially long lees ageing, Agrapart's wines are know to be terroir driven. Agrapart is also an advocate for 'living soil' practices, his viticulture regime encourages life by ploughing and doesn’t use herbicides and pesticides. The soils are turned, rich, spongy, full of life and are much more dynamic and the resulting in wonderfully balanced wines.
The chalky soil, specific to the Côte des Blancs, allows the Agrapart to work the Chardonnay grape variety, known especially for the freshness, elegance and finesse it brings to the wine. Composed of 50 plots, the average age of the vines being about 40 years with several parcels are over 65 years old.
