Pascal Jolivet

The Jolivet family entered the wine world in 1926 when Louis and Lucien Jolivet worked as cellar masters at Château de Tracy. They created a small trading company, selecting and bottling wines from the Sancerre region. Fast forward to 1987, when Pascal Jolivet, representing the fourth generation, founded his own brand. He started without vineyards, working as a merchant while building relationships with top growers and constructing a state-of-the-art cellar in 1990. His first breakthrough came in 1993 when he acquired six hectares in Bué-en-Sancerre, including prestigious sites like Le Chêne Marchand and Le Grand Chemarin. Two years later, he added his first Pouilly-Fumé vineyards in Tracy-sur-Loire. ## The Terroir Today the estate spans 120 hectares across Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, plus 60 hectares in Touraine for the Attitude range. The vineyards sit on three distinct soil types that define the house style. Limestone brings minerality and finesse, clay-limestone adds fruit and richness, while flint provides structure and that signature smoky character. Each terroir is vinified separately before blending, creating wines that truly express their origin. The estate is surrounded by the historic châteaux of Cheverny and Chambord, in a region where Sauvignon Blanc has found its most authentic expression. ## Winemaking Philosophy Pascal took a radical approach from day one, going against the technical trends of the 1990s. He hired oenologist Jean-Luc Soty to create a natural style using only indigenous yeasts, no enzymes, and minimal sulfur. The philosophy is simple: let nature do the work. Temperature control replaces chemical inputs. Fermentations are slow and gentle. Aging on fine lees adds complexity without manipulation. In 2013, Italian winemaker Valentina Buoso took over, bringing her expertise in indigenous yeasts and continuing the house philosophy. Since 2016, Pascal has partnered with the Dauny family, pioneers of organic farming in Sancerre since 1966, to manage the vineyards biodynamically. ## The Wines The range starts with the signature Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, both showcasing pure Sauvignon Blanc with that linear, mineral character Pascal is known for. Single-vineyard cuvées like Les Caillottes from pure limestone and Sauvage from old vines push the boundaries further. The Indigène Pouilly-Fumé celebrates indigenous yeasts with powerful flint notes, while the Nature cuvée is made without any added sulfur. There's also red and rosé Sancerre from Pinot Noir. The Attitude line from Touraine offers an accessible entry point, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and a rosé blend. Wine Spectator recognized the Sancerre Blanc in their top 100 for both 1995 and 1996 vintages, putting Pascal on the international map early on.