Pascal Jolivet, founded in 1987, is one of the most dynamic domaines in France’s Loire Valley. Based in Sancerre, the domaine now owns 95 hectares of vineyards spread across the appellations of Sancerre (75), Pouilly Fumé (20) and 50 hectares in Touraine. The domaine supplements the estate holdings with additional fruit sourced from long-term contract growers from some of the prime sites of the region including ‘Les Caillotes’, ‘Le Chêne Marchand’ and ‘Le Clos du Roy’.
VINEYARDS
Jolivet owns 42 hectares of vineyard in Sancerre, close to the villages of Bué, Verdigny and Ste Gemme and 8 hectares in the villages of Les Loges, St Andelain and Tracy in the Pouilly-Fumé appellation.
WINEMAKING
Valentina Buoso, a young, dynamic winemaker took over from her predecessor, Jean-Luc Soty, who had worked with Pascal for 22 years, in 2013. Pascal shares his philosophy with Valentina: to work in harmony with nature to produce wines with purity of fruit, a linear character and minerality, allowing a natural expression of the vineyard to give the wines a sense of place.
THE RETURN TO THE ROOTS
Pascal’s twofold vision is to retain the style and quality of the wines but with greater precision and elegance, and to refocus on the Loire as ‘the home of Sauvignon Blanc’. The natural potential of the fruit is ‘passively’ developed, meaning that no chemicals are used for juice clarification and no industrial yeasts during fermentation. This approach to winemaking has been embraced since Pascal’s first vintage back in 1990.
He is a firm believer in natural winemaking, and practices environmentally friendly techniques in both the vineyard and the cellar:
“I do a kind of biodynamic vinification that takes time, but results in wines you can drink and enjoy without fatigue. My wines have finesse, elegance, and purity, with clean aromas and flavours. There is a paradox in the winery, because I use technology, but only to control fermentation, not to interfere. I make natural wines that are easy to drink, not ‘technical wines’ that are heavy and don’t go with food. I have a strong philosophy that our wine is meant to compliment food. We follow our own logical approach to respect the grapes and make Sauvignon Blanc wines that are fruity and vibrant” – Pascal Jolivet
Download PDF PrintVins de Pays, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Attitude has delicate aromas of lime, green apple, kiwi fruit and some vegetal notes. Mineral notes give the wine a pleasant mouthfeel, balanced with good acidity and a citrus fresh finish.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
A wine of style marked by richness, elegance and smoothness. Lifted aromas of flint, citrus zest. This wine is powerful and presents a perfect balance.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Pinot Noir
Pale salmon pink in colour with a subtle nose of fresh berries. On the palate the wine is delicate and elegant with layers of herbals notes, berry fruits and strawberries with a clean, crisp finish.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Pinot Noir
Jewel coloured with delicate aromas of red fruit. Elegant and subtle spicy flavours are the main characteristics of this pinot noir leading to a clean, pure finish.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
A wine of style marked by richness, elegance and smoothness. Lifted perfumes of flint, citrus zest. This wine is powerful and presents a perfect balance. The body is full with refreshing acidity to balance the wine which has the classic purity of citrus and nettle fruit found in top quality Sancerre.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
A wine of style marked by richness, elegance and smoothness. Lifted perfumes of flint, citrus zest. This wine is powerful and presents a perfect balance. The body is full with refreshing acidity to balance the wine which has the classic purity of citrus and nettle fruit found in top quality Sancerre.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
The Sauvage is elegant and subtle on the nose, medium-bodied and rich on the palate, with layers of mouth-watering fruit leading to a racy finish, while retaining absolute finesse.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
The Sauvage is elegant and subtle on the nose, medium-bodied and rich on the palate, with layers of mouth-watering fruit leading to a racy finish, while retaining absolute finesse.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Pinot Noir
Bright ruby red in colour. Notes of forest fruits and red berries on the nose. A lightly spicy character with a hint of pepper add to the intrigue on the palate which has great finesse and depth and refreshing acidity.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Pinot Noir
Bright ruby red in colour. Notes of forest fruits and red berries on the nose. A lightly spicy character with a hint of pepper add to the intrigue on the palate which has great finesse and depth and refreshing acidity.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Pinot Noir
Attractive forest fruits and lively notes of strawberries and raspberries on the nose. A lightly spicy character with a hint of pepper add to the intrigue on the palate which has an elegant finish and a refreshing acidity.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Pale straw in colour with subtle aromas of asparagus, freshly cut herbs, delicate florals and spice. Sliced apple and pear on the palate with a steely mineral edge.
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Bright lemon yellow with an intense nose full of apricots and golden fruits as well as notes of toast, brioche, honey and delicate herbs. Mango, grapefruit and a pleasant salinity on the palate with a long, mineral finish.
Pouilly-Fumé AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Vibrant yellow colour with restrained aromas of citrus, apple and flint. It is precise and layered with clean, driving acidity, elegance and finesse.
Pouilly-Fumé AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Wonderfully pure with great concentration. Notes of wet stones and citrus, this wine is elegant with peach flavours and an attractive flinty character on the finish.
Pouilly-Fumé AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
An intriguing Sauvignon Blanc, with an attractive mouth-feel thanks to the lees aging. Rich in texture and complexity, this wine also has a purity of fruit, pronounced minerality and concentration.
Pouilly-Fumé AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Wonderfully pure with great concentration. Notes of wet stones and citrus, this wine is elegant with peach flavours and an attractive flinty character on the finish.