Champagne Pehu-Simonet: The Art of Terroir and Innovation
The essentials
Champagne Pehu-Simonet is a 5-hectare family-run estate on the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims, certified organic since 2021. Run by David Pehu (fourth generation), it produces champagnes dominated by Pinot Noir, thanks to viticultural practices that include ploughing with horses on 50 per cent of the estate and fermentation using indigenous yeasts.
- Is Pehu-Simonet certified for organic farming?
- Yes, the Champagne Pehu-Simonet estate has been certified organic since 2021. On its 5 hectares in the Montagne de Reims, the estate uses sheep for grazing in winter and horse-drawn ploughing on 50 per cent of the vineyard.
- What vintages does Pehu-Simonet Champagne offer?
- Pehu-Simonet offers two ranges: ‘Face Nord’ (Brut Sans Année, Extra-Brut, Rosé, Blanc de Noirs) and ‘Les Fins Lieux’, single-vineyard champagnes including ‘Les Chantereines’, made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir from Verzenay.
- Why is the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims so special to Pehu-Simonet?
- The north-facing aspect reduces direct sunlight, slowing down the ripening of the grapes. This enables the Pehu-Simonet estate to retain pronounced acidity and freshness in its Pinot Noir-dominated champagnes.
Sheep grazing between the rows, horses ploughing the fields, organic since 2021: the Pehu-Simonet estate is redefining artisanal champagne in the Montagne de Reims.
In the heart of the prestigious Montagne de Reims, the Champagne Pehu-Simonet estate stands out for its innovative, environmentally-friendly approach. Managed by David Pehu, representing the fourth generation of winegrowers, this 5-hectare family estate embodies the perfect alliance between Champagne tradition and avant-garde viticultural practices.
A Unique Terroir, A Singular Philosophy
Domaine Pehu-Simonet enjoys an exceptional location on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. This particular exposure, combined with the chalky soils typical of the region, gives the wines a distinctive freshness and minerality. David Pehu explains:
"Our location on the northern slope means that our vines receive less direct sunlight. This translates into slower ripening of the grapes, enabling us to retain good acidity and freshness in our wines."
The estate grows mainly Pinot Noir, complemented by Chardonnay. This predominance of Pinot Noir reflects the typicality of the Montagne de Reims terroir, renowned for producing high-quality black grapes.
Innovative Organic Viticulture
Since 2021, Domaine Pehu-Simonet has been certified organic. However, their commitment goes far beyond simply complying with specifications. David Pehu has developed a holistic approach to viticulture, aiming to create a true ecosystem in his vineyards.
"We try to create a soothing climate, both for the people who work in these vineyards and for the vines themselves," David explains. This philosophy translates into innovative practices:
1 Introducing animals into the vineyards: Sheep graze between the rows in winter, reducing the need for machinery to maintain the soil. Horses are also used for certain tasks, limiting soil compaction.
2 Agroforestry: The estate has planted trees and hedges around its plots to encourage biodiversity.
3 Tillage: Using horses to plough 50% of the estate promotes soil health and biodiversity.
4 Adapting to climate change: David Pehu has developed a higher trellising system to avoid pruning the vines, which helps preserve the grapes' natural acidity in the face of global warming.
5 Yield management: Green harvesting* helps control yields and improve grape quality.
* Green harvesting involves going through the rows of vines to remove excess bunches. This is done when the bunches are still green or identified as being of lower quality or just not ripe enough. This allows the remaining bunches to ripen properly.
Vinification that respects the terroir
The philosophy of Domaine Pehu-Simonet naturally continues in the winery. The aim is to intervene as little as possible to let the fruit and terroir express themselves. Here are the key points of their winemaking approach:
Hand-picking and rigorous sorting
Gentle, slow pressing
Fermentation with indigenous yeasts
Moderate use of wood
Natural malolactic fermentation
Prolonged aging
Moderate dosage
David Pehu sums up his winemaking philosophy as follows:
"We always aim for straight, precise wines with good tension. But at the same time, we work hard on the maturity of the grapes to make wines that are also round and generous."
An Expressive Range of Champagnes
Domaine Pehu-Simonet offers two main ranges of champagnes:
Face Nord range: revisited Champagne tradition
Brut Sans Année
Extra-Brut Sans Année
Rosé
Blanc de Noirs
Les Fins Lieux range: plot-based champagnes
Example: Cuvée "Les Chantereines" (100% Pinot Noir from Verzenay)
Vision d'Avenir and Sustainable Commitment
The estate continues to explore new ways to improve the quality of their wines while strengthening their commitment to the environment:
Biodynamic experimentation
Reducing carbon footprint
Adapting to climate change
Innovation in winemaking
Development of agroforestry
Unique market positioning
Domaine Pehu-Simonet has positioned itself in a distinctive way in the champagne market, giving priority to :
Direct customer relations
Distribution via independent wine merchants and gourmet restaurants
Export development
Conclusion
Champagne Pehu-Simonet perfectly embodies the spirit of innovation and respect for terroir that characterizes the new generation of Champagne winemakers. Through their commitment to sustainable viticulture, their meticulous approach to winemaking and their constant quest for excellence, David Pehu and his team produce champagnes that tell a unique story - that of their terroir, their know-how and their vision for the future.
For champagne lovers looking for authenticity, character and innovation, Pehu-Simonet cuvées offer a unique taste experience, deeply rooted in their terroir yet resolutely looking to the future.
