If he takes his Portuguese name from his great-grandfather, and his Scandinavian first name from his father, Erick De Sousa is a true champenois. After switching to organic, he opted for biodynamics in 2010 to bring out the true taste of champagne. From the chalky soil typical of the Avize terroir and the signature Chardonnay grape variety, the winegrower obtains a mineral and tasty wine that has won the hearts of the great names in gastronomy such as Pierre Hermé.
Anecdotes about the domain
Committed for several years in a process of organic cultivation, the house De Sousa obtained its certification in 2010 which assures the consumer that the rules have been followed. It refrains from using pesticides, chemical fertilizers, weed killers, and instead uses natural active ingredients (plants and minerals) to protect the vine. This is to encourage the vine to draw in depth the trace elements specific to each terroir and to transmit different characteristics to each cuvée of the range. Erik gives us his vision of things: "It is not enough to have a great terroir, it is necessary to respect it and allow the vine to express its character. This is what we strive to do in order to make you live good moments in the company of our champagnes."
The domain's short story
They settled in Avize, Champagne, where he worked for a wine estate. Later, Antoine, their son, will meet a daughter of a Champagne wine grower. Since 1986, Erick de Sousa and his wife Michelle have been managing a 9.50 hectare estate in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, in the village of Avize. They are now followed by their 3 children Charlotte, Julie and Valentin, who help them continuously on the estate.
The winemaker's pride
It all started three generations ago. After experiencing the Great War, Manuel De Sousa, a Portuguese by birth, arrived in France with his wife and children.
Pictures of the domain
