Champagne Florence Duchêne: A Filipino Sparkle
In the storied vineyards of the Vallée de la Marne, in the Champagne region of France, Florence Duchêne, an independent winemaker with both French and Filipino roots, is carving out a distinct voice, one that speaks as much to identity as it does to terroir.
Though her family has cultivated vines since 1874, Duchêne’s journey into winemaking was far from linear. With a background in international trade and time spent living abroad, she returned home in 2011 during a record harvest—and never left. A year later, she founded Champagne Florence Duchêne with a clear vision: to create wines that reflect not only the land but also who she is.
Her cuvées stand apart and reflect the Filipino heritage she is extremely proud of. The names of her Champagne, like Anak, Maputi, Kalikasan, Di Mangan, and her rose Champagne, Bathala, reveal a winemaker deeply connected to her bicultural identity. “Growing up between France and the Philippines taught me to adapt and stay curious,” Duchêne shares. “I want my wines to be honest, grounded, and feminine.” (Story continues after video.)
Her vines are spread across premier sites in the Marne Valley, with a cultivated and unwavering respect for nature. The estate follows sustainable practices leaning toward biodynamics. In the cellar, she balances tradition and experimentation—fermenting in enamel, stainless steel, and old oak, using minimal dosage, and exploring single-plot vinification for greater expression.
But it’s not just technique that sets her apart. In an industry steeped in convention, Duchêne brings a fresh, cross-cultural lens to storytelling and experience. Her collaboration with Ayà for Balik Bayan: Celebrating Florence Duchêne, a curated Champagne and Filipino-French dinner, underscored her mission to make wine more inclusive and personal. “Her Champagnes are precise and full of soul,” says Erin Ganuales-Recto, Head Sommelier at Ayà. “They tell a story.”
Being a woman—and a “mestiza” at that—in the Champagne world hasn’t always been easy. Duchêne admits she’s faced skepticism, even from her own family. But with quiet determination, she has built a label that speaks for itself: small-scale, elegant, and uncompromising in quality. For her, Champagne isn’t just a celebratory drink—it’s a language. “When someone tastes my wine and goes quiet, then smiles, I know I’ve reached them,” she says. “Not just their palate, but their heart.”
Florence Duchêne wines are served and available for purchase at Hapag and Aya.
BAR NONE
EDITORIAL TEAM
ALICIA COLBY-SY Lifestyle Editor
KIMBERLY ROCHA-DELGADO Digital Editor
PRODUCTION TEAM
KENNETH DIMAANO Post-Production Director
JOMAR SOLANIA Video Editor and Colorist
RENZO LUMANOG Associate Producer
ANTON MOLINA Producer
THIRTYSIX-O MEDIA Video Team
ARJAY ZURITA Hair and Make-up