Paul Girard • Winegrower in Mesnil-sur-Oger
Champagne Girard-Bonnet, located in the Côte des Blancs, embodies the revival of a family heritage. Born from the union of the Girard and Bonnet families, the estate is now led by Paul Girard, who carries on the family’s winemaking legacy by showcasing the pure expression of Chardonnay.
The vineyard covers 12 hectares, spread across the Grand Cru villages of Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger, as well as the Premier Cru village of Vertus. Since 2023, the estate has been certified organic and biodynamic (Demeter), with practices including the elimination of herbicides since 2000, eco-grazing, and the use of herbal teas and essential oils to promote the vitality of the soils and vines.
In the cellar, vinification is carried out plot by plot using natural methods, with no fining or filtration. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in a range of vessels, including oak barrels, stainless-steel tanks and amphorae, depending on the character of each plot. The wines are aged on their lees for a minimum of 10 months, with only minimal use of sulphur, and only when necessary.
The estate’s cuvées, including “À Mi-Chemin”, “Au Bout du Chemin”, “Mon Village”, “Les Musettes” and “Recueil”, showcase the diversity of the Côte des Blancs terroirs. “À Mi-Chemin” combines the mineral tension of Mesnil-sur-Oger with the roundness of Oger, while “Mon Village” pays tribute to the Mesnil terroir with remarkable purity and finesse.
Champagne Girard-Bonnet stands out for its commitment to environmentally responsible viticulture and precise winemaking, producing authentic and elegant Champagnes that faithfully reflect the terroirs from which they originate.
