Champagne Extra Brut
L'Abreuvoir 2016

Gaspard Brochet began vinifying in 2017 in the village of Écueil, in the Petite Montagne de Reims, taking over part of the family Domaine. Son of Vincent Brochet and nephew of Emmanuel Brochet, he decided from the outset to follow an independent path. After producing his first wines in a family garage, he officially founded his own project in 2019, reviving the historic name Domaine Les Croix, which has appeared on all labels since 2024.

Domaine Les Croix covers 3.2 hectares divided into 14 plots in the Premier Cru villages of Écueil, Villers-aux-Nœuds, and Sacy. Some vines date back to the 1950s and 1960s, and since 2022, they have been managed according to biodynamic principles. Environmental respect is central: no herbicides or chemical fertilizers, only manual work and self-produced natural compost. Each plot is vinified separately, to highlight the identity of each individual terroir.

Gaspard learned the craft in the field, without a formal oenological education, but through trial, error, and intuition. The grapes, harvested at full ripeness, are pressed in a traditional press. The must flows by gravity into stainless steel tanks, then ferments spontaneously in barriques of various sizes, with a high use of new wood. The barrels are not topped up during élevage, a choice that promotes oxygenation and enhances the complexity of the wines.

The first cuvée signed by Gaspard Brochet was launched in 2020. Since then, his Champagne has quickly attracted the attention of enthusiasts and collectors. The wines stand out for their structure, expressiveness, and precision. The absence of dosage, combined with the extended ripening of the grapes, lends roundness and depth. Each bottle reflects Gaspard’s personal vision and conveys, with unmistakable style, the authentic character of the Montagne de Reims.