Pascal Jolivet, a name synonymous with excellence in the world of winemaking, has crafted a remarkable legacy. With a journey that dates back to 1926, Maison Pascal Jolivet stands as a shining example of passion, dedication, and a profound connection to nature. Known for their unique style and commitment to organic winemaking, Maison Pascal Jolivet continues to captivate wine enthusiasts worldwide. Today, we have the privilege of delving into the world of Pascal Jolivet, a visionary in the realm of fine wines. 

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Pascal, could you share the story of how Maison Pascal Jolivet’s journey began in 1926 and how it has evolved over the years? The distinctive style and characteristics of Maison Pascal Jolivet’s wines for those who may be new to your brand. 

Pascal Jolivet: In 1926, my grandfather Lucien was a winemaker at Chateau de Tracy a beautiful and historical vineyard in Pouilly sur Loire, he was also previously working during 2 years in Champagne to learn about “Méthode Champenoise”  in Reims. 

Lucien Jolivet decided to start his own business in Cosne sur Loire and to trade local wines from the Sauvignon grape.  

Jacques Jolivet did take over the company in the sixties with the same passion and became a recognized Negociant in the region the name of the company turned to “Jolivet et fils”. 

In 1982, Jacques Jolivet bought a small company in Pouilly sur Loire and proposed to his son Pascal to manage and develop a separate business. 

In 1987, Pascal Jolivet decided to create his own brand, at this time, the company was still a Negociant. 

In 1991, PJ inspired by Champagne brands decided to invest in Sancerre to build a brand new winery using the recent technology of stainless tanks under temperatures control, also inspired by a friend producer in Pouilly Fume appellation his idea was to produce wines as naturally as possible not using any chemicals and making his wines with the indigenous yeast to create his own style. 

In 1993, the company bought the first vineyards in Bué , 8 ha including some of the best climats such has Le Grand Chemarin and Le Chêne Marchand. 

Until that date, the company bought and rented many vineyards in the Sancerre and Pouilly Fume region and also invested in Chemery, Touraine with a specific brand “ATTITUDE”  dedicated to the Sauvignon blanc grape 100% from the Loire region. 

Today the company manage 82 ha in the central Loire and 77 ha in Touraine. 

LLA: Maison Pascal Jolivet is celebrated for its unique style and commitment to organic winemaking. What inspired you to take this path in winemaking? 

PJ: The distinctive style of MPJ wines is all about purity and finesse with a very good balance between fruit and acidity, lovely texture, and incredible drinkability. 

LLA: The dedication to tradition and terroir is a hallmark of your wines. How do you balance preserving tradition while continuously innovating and elevating your brand’s quality? 

PJ: I have been inspired by 2 very opposite personalities. Prince Alain de Polignac, considered in the eighties like one of the best winemakers in Champagne, told me one day that the future of winemaking was to eliminate the chemical inputs in wine and to replace them mechanically using temperature control and stainless tank. 

My childhood friend Patrice Moreux who owns the historical vineyard in Pouilly Fumé “La loge aux Moines” was making wines in the most natural way with no intervention and no temperature control. 

I decided to put these 2 concepts together using this new technology to make wines organically using unfiltered juices and controlling only the temperature of fermentations. 

We did create secretly in 1991 our own style which is now the DNA of MPJ company. 

LLA: The use of indigenous yeasts and natural winemaking methods are central to your winemaking philosophy. Could you explain how these practices shape the character of Maison Pascal Jolivet’s wines? 

PJ: Its fundamental for me to « never forget where you come from »  the tradition is the base, the innovation is important as long as you keep the identity of your wines with more precision and quality to make the style of MPJ wines even more unique. 

LLA: Maison Pascal Jolivet offers a range of wines, including Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. What makes these specific varietals and terroirs special, and how do they translate into the wines? 

PJ: The Loire region is the “Home of Sauvignon blanc”  with a relatively cool climate and fantastic soils such as lime stone and flint. 

MPJ winemaking philosophy is about common sense, producing wines with a subtill character interfering as less as, possible, using indigenous yeast to preserve the extraordinary potential of the soils of the region.  

In Sancerre there is a majority of lime stone which make the wines very elegant and delicate In Pouilly Fumé, the hardness of the flint is giving to the wines a very suave taste. 

LLA: Maison Pascal Jolivet’s mission is to create a lasting “love story” with consumers worldwide. Could you share more about this vision and how it guides your work? 

PJ: I started with a very personal approach to the market. 

The love of wines and the passion in life is something that we can communicate during traveling all over the world, speaking to wine lovers, restaurant managers, F&B, hotels GM like a “Word of mouth” interaction in the ecosystem. 

The best way to create a “love story” is to MPJ to communicate passion with all consumers who love the “Jolivet style” and become faithful to it. 

every vintage is different but the style remains.  

It’s also a pleasure to welcome more and more wine lovers in MPJ winery. 

LLA: Pascal, as a renowned winemaker, you’ve undoubtedly tasted a wide range of wines. Could you share a personal favorite wine experience or a specific wine that left a lasting impression on you?  

PJ: I will never forget the wine week at the Raffles Singapore in 2000, I was a bit new in the wine world and MPJ was so proud to be one of the few wineries invited in the middle of prestigious brands such as Krug, Comtes de Vogue, Chateau Palmer , Chateau Lynch Bages, Trimbach. Every day we had incredible wines for lunch and dinner. I also made friend that time with Cazes family. 

LLA: For someone looking to explore your wines for the first time, what would be a recommended starting point in your collection, and what makes it special? 

PJ: To explore PJ wines for the first time it’s a good idea to start tasting  

Sancerre Les Caillottes the very first beautiful single vineyard bought in 1993 by MPJ the 50 years old vines are planted on lime stones soils organically farmed since 2009.  

Les Caillottes has a strong character with a lovely fruit, citrusy, and a kind of creaminess very typical of Jolivet style. 

LLA: Finally, Pascal, as someone who has dedicated their life to crafting exceptional wines, what message or piece of wisdom would you like to impart to wine enthusiasts and aspiring winemakers? 

PJ:
I would like to say that we can’t go against the nature, the nature gives sometimes and restrains itself sometimes like a winemaker we have to understand that and deal with it. The common sense is the key, every vintage is like a new baby who become part of the family. 

We have to keep our DNA, to guide the family, the domain, and the brand in the right direction and to give pleasure to all our wine lovers around the world. 

To experience the exceptional wines of Maison Pascal Jolivet and immerse yourself in the world of terroir, tradition, and innovation, we invite you to explore their collection. Visit Maison Pascal Jolivet’s official website and discover the artistry of their wines today: https://pascaljolivet.com/