The Heritage of Maison J.M. GOULARD

The current heritage of Maison J.M. GOULARD was initiated by Paul GOULARD. A generous and caring man, he dedicated himself to cultivating the land, both as a farmer and a winegrower. Later, his son, Jean-Marie GOULARD, joined him in the family business.

In 1979, Jean-Marie married Martine, and together they laid the foundation for their own vineyard. Committed to the quality of their champagnes, Jean-Marie and Martine practiced traditional viticulture. Like their ancestors, who were gardeners and farmers, they tended to their crops daily with great care.

The three sons of the Maison—Sébastien, Sylvain, and Damien—grew up in an environment where welcoming champagne enthusiasts was central. As is the case in a family business, winemaking brings them together: during the harvest, Sylvain joins Martine, Jean-Marie, and Damien, while Sébastien, as an oenologist, closely oversees the development of the clear wines and blending.

The Art of Winemaking

Rooted in family tradition, viticulture plays an essential role at Champagne J.M. GOULARD. Damien has inherited this passion for grape cultivation and working the land, leaving his mark on the business. He has chosen to integrate vinification in oak barrels. The soils have been reworked, and sustainable viticulture has been applied from the very first planting.

For Damien, the vineyard is like his garden: on the seven hectares of the Maison, every square meter is cultivated with care. Like his grandfather, he works the soil, loosens it, aerates it, and ties the vines with dedication, understanding the importance of a noble raw material for producing high-quality champagne.

Family Winemaking

Damien, Martine, and Jean-Marie share the same passion: from the vineyard to vinification, they combine creativity and precision to bring J.M. Goulard champagnes to life.

The harvest is a crucial first step in the winemaking process. The Goulard family and their team hand-pick the grapes, as tradition dictates. The grapes are then pressed and transformed into juice, which is placed in tanks and barrels for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation until the following spring.

Damien, together with his brothers Sébastien (oenologist) and Sylvain, and their parents, tastes the clear wines to create the future champagnes. The art of blending—the combination of grape varieties, reserve wines, vintages, and terroirs—is essential in this process. Once the house style is determined and the cuvées are bottled, a minimum aging period of 24 months in the cellar follows. The final step, known as disgorgement, gives the champagne its definitive dosage and closure.

The Terroir of the Massif de Saint-Thierry

Damien, Jean-Marie, and Martine place great importance on terroir. Their vineyard is entirely located in the Massif de Saint-Thierry, a region whose character is deeply reflected in their champagnes.

The Massif de Saint-Thierry has been a renowned winegrowing area for centuries. The testament of Saint-Rémy already mentioned vineyards in this region as early as 532! With a favorable south-to-southeast exposure, the vines benefit from a microclimate ideal for their growth.

This area is part of the Paris Basin and features two dominant soil types: sandy-clay and clay-limestone soils. These well-draining soils, combined with Damien’s careful cultivation, allow the vines to absorb essential minerals, contributing to the unique flavor expression of the champagne.

Each grape variety thrives on its preferred soil type:

• Meunier (the most common grape at J.M. Goulard) prefers sandy soils.

• Pinot Noir does better on clay-rich soils.

• Chardonnay flourishes on chalky soils.

As a result, the vineyard's planting is closely linked to its terroir. The Maison’s champagnes truly reflect this terroir: wines from the Massif de Saint-Thierry are characterized by moderate acidity, vibrant citrus and floral aromas, and an elegant freshness with a long finish.

A Family Business

A visit to the winemakers of Maison J.M. GOULARD is an unmissable experience to truly discover their champagnes. Meet Jean-Marie, Martine, and Damien GOULARD.

• Jean-Marie GOULARD: Actively involved in winegrowers' associations, Jean-Marie is dedicated to collaboration and promoting the terroir of the Massif de Saint-Thierry. A caring and devoted winemaker, he is always attentive to those who appreciate his champagne.

• Martine GOULARD: As the only woman among four men, Martine plays a central and unifying role in the family. Her communication skills and strong support make her an indispensable pillar of the business.

Together, Jean-Marie and Martine have found the perfect balance in running their vineyard. Like Paul before them, they worked by hand for years, paying close attention to detail and precision. Their commitment to quality leaves no room for error, and for over thirty years, they have remained true to their craft. They are deeply involved in production and personally welcome their customers.

They strongly believe in small-scale winemaking and the recognition of "petits crus." To further develop the Champagne region and its wines, they joined the Vignerons Indépendants de France, Champagnes de Vignerons, and in 2013, the prestigious Club Trésor de Champagne—a testament to their expertise and ambition to continuously refine the finesse of their champagnes.

• Damien GOULARD: As a representative of a new generation of winemakers, Damien blends modern and traditional methods with finesse. He has eliminated herbicide use in the vineyard and continuously seeks the best viticultural practices, both in France and internationally. Since 2008, he has been a member of the Jeunes Vignerons du SGV (Syndicat Général des Vignerons), where he contributes to the future of Champagne winemaking and shares innovations with other young vintners.

With an optimistic and forward-thinking vision, Damien is working towards a sustainable future for the Maison. In 2021, he fully converted the vineyard to organic viticulture.

The passion, dedication, and innovation of the GOULARD family come together in their champagnes—a tribute to the terroir and the craftsmanship of generations.