{"id":5311,"date":"2018-09-04T13:35:29","date_gmt":"2018-09-04T13:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/?post_type=project&p=5311"},"modified":"2025-05-20T17:17:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T17:17:53","slug":"domaine-petit-bajan","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/project\/domaine-petit-bajan\/","title":{"rendered":"Domaine Petit & Bajan"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Domaine Petit & Bajan” subhead=”Avize | Champagne” text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.25)” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font_size=”50″ subhead_font_size=”20px” background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” background_image=”https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/champagne_web.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#fcf4de” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|2% ||2% ” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”USP” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ text_orientation=”justified” custom_margin=”|2%||2%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Richard Petit’s family roots in Avize go back centuries, caring for Chardonnay on the chalk soils of the C\u00f4te de Blancs. V\u00e9ronique Bajan’s clan hails from Pinot Noir terroir in Verzenay, grand cru land on the Montagne de Reims.<\/p>\n

Love, then marriage, came first in 1997. In 1999, Richard took over his family’s winery in Avize, and the idea that they might create wine together began to take root. Yet their vision wasn\u2019t just to \u201cmake\u201d Champagne, but to push farther, seeking to truly understand what their grand cru soils could give.<\/p>\n

With Richard’s attention to detail in the fields and V\u00e9ronique’s tasting prowess in the cellar, the small-batch, grand cru wines of Petit & Bajan are very much the voice of Champagne’s new generation.<\/p>\n

Like their neighbor and mentor in Avize, Anselme Selosse, Richard and V\u00e9ronique start by harvesting perfectly ripe grapes. At every step in the winemaking process, no detail is too small to be further perfected.<\/p>\n

This attention to detail, to the soil and soul of true Champagne, is more than evident in the glass. Theirs are bold, aromatic and vinous wines that set a higher bar for grand cru Champagne. And the wider world is taking notice, too: Petit & Bajan was named to Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Winery list in 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ padding_mobile=”off” make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#d46d32″ use_border_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

FARMING & WINEMAKING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Domaine Petit & Bajan crafts \u201cgrower\u201d Champagne, a r\u00e9coltant-manipulant house that grows its own grapes and makes its own wine all on site. This qualitative difference is crucial for those seeking the ultimate in Champagne flavor and character.<\/p>\n

The estate\u2019s vineyards are split between the C\u00f4te des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims, with just over two acres of Chardonnay vines in Avize, Cramant and Oger, and five acres of Pinot Noir in Verzenay. All vineyards are rated grand cru and are cared for sustainably.<\/p>\n

Crucially, the estate aims to harvest only perfectly ripe fruit, resulting in many local growers finishing the harvest before they even start. (A telling anecdote from the couple: most years, the very last two winemakers to finish the harvest in Avize are Richard Petit and Anselme Selosse.) Grapes are harvested by hand, and sorted in the fields and cellar.<\/p>\n

Grapes are pressed in a traditional, upright wooden press in small batches, immediately after harvesting. Juice is settled naturally, and fermented on selected yeasts. Malolactic conversion is allowed. Wines are aged in bottle for a minimum of three years. Dosage as a rule is low, no more than 3 grams\/L for all Champagnes.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”WHITE WINES” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|on|||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16″ background_color=”#d46d32″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”2%|5%|2%|5%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]WHITE WINES
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Grand Cru Brut \u2018Promise\u2019” admin_label=”Grand Cru Brut \u2018Promise\u2019” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ custom_padding=”|5%||5%” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

‘Promise’ is back and as lovely as ever — the estate’s newly created “entry” Champagne, a suave blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, lively and lifting and lemony. Aged for three years in bottle on fine lees, just like the estate’s other supple wines; the Champagne you want for a luxurious aperitif moment with truffled potato chips and caviar.<\/p>\n

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