A journey that makes it possible to experience the Domaine Henri Giraud in all its dimensions, transforming the visit into a structured experience. It is a path built through stages designed to engage those who wish to discover this place in an authentic and in-depth way, entering a universe in which wine, terroir, wellness and hospitality intertwine naturally. An immersion into the philosophy of the Domaine and its production choices matured over time, told in a progressive and coherent manner, where each stage adds a piece and helps define the deep identity of this place.
The vision of the Domaine At the head of the Domaine today we find Emmanuelle Giraud, thirteenth generation of the family, alongside Sébastien Le Golvet, managing director and chef de cave since 2004. Together they develop a vision that combines family continuity and experimentation, founded on constant work on viticultural precision, on the selection of materials and on the evolution of style.
The dimension linked to wellness and to the sensory experience is overseen by Anne Le Golvet-Giraud, responsible for the Craÿothérapie projects, which translate the territory into a physical and perceptual dimension.
The Cellar Everything begins in Aÿ, in the historic coteaux of Champagne, where the cellar represents one of the first points of contact with the identity of the Domaine. Here the pillars of the Henri Giraud philosophy clearly emerge: Pinot Noir as the territorial matrix, the centrality of craie champenoise and the structural role of wood.
The barrels are made from oak sourced from the Argonne forest, selected with extreme precision. This wood becomes a fully integrated oenological tool within the style of the Domaine, conceived to promote micro-oxygenation, structural depth and expressive precision, in a continuous balance between matter, time and oenological interpretation, according to the vision of Sébastien Le Golvet.
Tasting as a key to interpretation The tasting allows entry into the stylistic language of Champagne Henri Giraud.
From interpretations based on the Réserve Perpétuelle to references such as Esprit Nature, Fût de Chêne MV and Argonne, the journey makes it possible to read the interaction between raw material, wood and time, the gustatory dynamics and the ageing potential of the wines.
It is a central moment of the experience, in which the terroir of Aÿ is told through its most emblematic expressions and through the stylistic coherence that defines the signature of the Domaine.
The Manoir, Craÿothérapie and the Table Expérience The journey continues at the Manoir Henri Giraud, a nineteenth-century residence completely renovated and transformed into a place of contemporary hospitality in Champagne, conceived as a natural extension of the identity of the Domaine. The spaces are designed to offer continuity between stay, visit and moments of relaxation.
The different types of accommodation – Junior Suite, Golden Suite Terrasse, Grande Chambre, Grande Chambre Terrasse and Duplex – make it possible to extend the experience beyond tasting and cellar visits, transforming the stay into a true immersion in the world of Henri Giraud.
The Bain de Terroir Henri Giraud represents the most complete proposal, bringing together private visit, tasting of the iconic cuvées, access to Craÿothérapie and overnight stay at the Manoir.
The Table Expérience Henri Giraud opens a dedicated gastronomic dimension, in which cuisine interprets the cuvées through targeted pairings, enhancing their structure, complexity and evolutionary balance.
Craie as a guiding thread: from soil to wine, to wellness At the base of the Henri Giraud journey lies an element that runs through all the dimensions of the Domaine: craie champenoise, one of the distinctive geological elements of the territory of Aÿ. It is a sedimentary rock formed by marine microfossils, characterized by high porosity, water retention capacity and mineral neutrality.
In the vineyard this matrix plays a decisive role: it stores water during rainy periods and gradually releases it during phases of water stress, ensuring vegetative regularity, progressive ripening and expressive precision of the grapes. It is also thanks to this function of natural balance that the Pinot Noir of Aÿ manages to combine structure and tension, power and finesse.
In the glass, the presence of craie translates into recognizable structural effects: verticality on the palate, acidic tension, purity, salinity and persistence. In the Henri Giraud cuvées these elements contribute directly to aromatic precision and to the ability to evolve over time.
Reinterpreted at the Manoir in the wellness dimension through Craÿothérapie, craie finds new expression in cosmetic treatments and spa rituals. Here it is used for its physical properties: very fine powder with high absorbent capacity, useful for purifying the skin, promoting surface detoxification and restoring a sensation of softness and lightness. In mineral baths and body wraps it also acts as a thermal regulator, promoting muscle relaxation and progressive release of tension.
In this context, tasting the Cuvée Blanc de Craie Henri Giraud means rediscovering in the purity of Chardonnay a mineral tension that reflects the character of the territory. The finesse of its expression dialogues with the sensations of lightness and depth typical of Craÿothérapie, accompanying the ritual and creating a continuous link between soil, wine and perception.
The same craie that supports the vine in the subsoil becomes a material of wellness in body treatments, transforming into a tool of regeneration and nourishing a natural dialogue between landscape, Champagne and sensory experience.
Living the Domaine Henri Giraud This articulated set of experiences intertwines territory, Champagne, wellness, hospitality and gastronomy, inviting the guest to experience Henri Giraud at 360 degrees. An invitation, as suggested by the official claim of the Manoir, to become, even if only for one day, residents of the Domaine Henri Giraud.
