The importance of perseverance is commonly commented upon when discussing the trials of tribulations of following your passion, but what does it mean to truly persevere when it seems your goal is so far from reach? One of the most important characteristics of perseverance is patience, and accepting the trials of now for the gratification that comes later. The welcoming of effort and the embracement of discomfort will fuel your endurance and the marriage of hard work, discipline, and a principled stance will see you across the line. In the Champagne Region of France, the artisans of Philippe Dechelle have perseverance in their bones, going back generations, and galvanizing them still today.
The story of Philippe Dechelle Champagne begins with Philippe Dechelle himself who, thanks to his industrious grandfather, was invigorated with a passion for hard work and imbued with the ability to remain optimistic against even the greatest of setbacks. When Grandfather Dechelle found his vineyard harvest destroyed by phylloxera he set himself on becoming a master of vine grafting, reclaiming what had been lost and forging a path for the future.
This determination and persistence had enough of an effect on Philippe Dechelle to later go on and study winemaking at Avize school, rekindling the family love affair with winemaking whilst bringing sage traditions to contemporary methods. The road from Philippe Dechelle reinvesting himself in the winemaking trade to the family now owning twenty acres of independent land was not an easy one, as in the beginning due to financial constraints the family needed to be part of a cooperative, sharing access to equipment such as tanks and presses. But continuing their tradition of perseverance, the Dechelle family worked hard enough to have complete control over their craft, owning their own equipment, operating their own vineyard, and producing quality champagne perfected under their watchful gaze. The Dechelle family uses only the best organic methods and takes great caution in how they treat their vines. Their adherence to remaining non-organic is a testament to their belief that all wines require an especial touch, and their unwillingness to be tied down by constricting stipulations allows their creations to flourish and their land to remain prosperous for generations to come.
Thanks to their perseverance and commitment to quality, Philippe Dechelle will only go on to impress more Champagne connoisseurs around the globe. Their ethical approach to winemaking and sustainable attitude is shared among their artisan family, where harmonious relationships and the ability to rely on one another sees perseverance made possible, ensuring that the future of Philippe Dechelle for subsequent generations is brighter than ever.
