In the world of winemaking pedigrees, Philipponnat is one of the first names that comes to mind. Dating back to the 16th century, the Champagne house has been a magnificent presence on the landscape, with multiple generations of family vintners leaving their marks on the land. After 500 years, the Philipponnat family continues to manage the property to this day. For over a century, Philipponnat has owned a unique vineyard unlike any other in the Champagne region. Called Clos Des Goisses, meaning “very steep slope,” it is the region’s warmest terroir, and with its 45oincline enjoys the benefits of the sun from dawn to dusk. The pinnacle of Philipponnat is its Close Des Goisses vintage Champagne, featuring a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Powerfully forward, it can be enjoyed both sooner or later, as under the proper conditions, the wine can continue to develop for decades. Philipponnat creates its wines using only first press juice from the highest quality grapes hailing from Premier and Grand Cru plots. Using grapes more mature than others in the region, the wines are then fermented in casks, allowing the wood to add to their complexity. Aging runs from three to ten years, which has prompted Philipponnat Champagne to be viewed more as well-balanced, robust wine.