Épernay Trip Overview
In private, meetings with 2 families of independent Champagne producers/growers classified Grand cru/1er Cru in the most famous villages and vineyards of Champagne: champagne making process, visit of the presses, wineries and cellars..
+ Tastings of 6 Grand Cru/1er Cru Champagnes
+ Discovery of the vineyard and the village of Aÿ Grand cru, famous for its Pinot Noir Grand Cru
+ Discovery of some of the most famous villages of the “Côte des Blancs”, Kingdom of Chardonnay Grand Cru
+ Private guided tour of the Dom Pérignon Abbey Church in Hautvillers, one of the most beautiful villages called the “Cradle of Champagne”
+ Crossing the famous “Avenue de Champagne” in Epernay
+ Lunch in a Champagne and dining bar including 1 bottle of Champagne per group of 2 (or optional on request when booking depending on the season gourmet picnic in the heart of the vineyards or/and Sabrage Experience of your bottle of Champagne during lunch)
+ Tasting of 3 famous Champagne spirits (Ratafia, Fine & Marc)
Additional Info
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Starts: Épernay, France
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Épernay Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Épernay, Grand Est, France
In private, meetings with 2 families of independent Champagne producers/growers classified Grand cru/1er Cru in the most famous villages and vineyards of Champagne: champagne making process, visit of the presses, wineries and cellars..
+ Tastings of 6 Grand Cru/1er Cru Champagnes
+ Discovery of the vineyard and the village of Aÿ Grand cru, famous for its Pinot Noir Grand Cru
+ Discovery of some of the most famous villages of the “Côte des Blancs”, Kingdom of Chardonnay Grand Cru
+ Private guided tour of the Dom Pérignon Abbey Church in Hautvillers, one of the most beautiful villages called the “Cradle of Champagne”
+ Crossing the famous “Avenue de Champagne” in Epernay
+ Lunch in a Champagne and dining bar including 1 bottle of Champagne per group of 2 (or optional on request when booking depending on the season gourmet picnic in the heart of the vineyards or/and Sabrage Experience of your bottle of Champagne during lunch)
+ Tasting of 3 famous Champagne spirits (Ratafia, Fine & Marc)
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ay-Champagne, Ay-Champagne, Marne, Grand Est
You will discover the historic hillsides of Aÿ which are classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and its Grand Cru vineyards.
Did you know that the village of Aÿ (just 5 mins from Epernay and 35 mins from Reims) was the main center of the champagne industry and still has a very special place?
The kings of France had their own presses there from the 16th century and the wines of Champagne were formerly called “Wines of Aÿ”.
This is where I will take you, to discover the historic village and its famous vineyard where I will tell you about the work of the vines, the grape varieties, this exceptional Terroir, sustainable viticulture…
We will also stop in front of the headquarters of famous Champagne Houses of Aÿ such as Bollinger, Deutz, Ayala…
You will also taste the 3 famous Champagne spirits from the Goyard Distillery in Aÿ, which is the 1st Champagne Distillery founded in 1911 : Ratafia of Champagne, Fine of Marne, Marc of Champagne.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Hautvillers, Hautvillers, Marne, Grand Est
We will not forget to thank Dom Pérignon by visiting the church where he officiated for 40 years in the famous village of Hautvillers called the “cradle of Champagne” where he now rests forever.
I will tell you his story and you will finally know whether or not he is the inventor of Champagne !
We will also not fail to stop in the hillsides classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, in front of one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Champagne, exactly where Dom Pérignon conducted his experiments…
We will visit one of the 2 families of independent producers/growers during the day’s : champagne production process, visit the presses, wineries and cellars.
You will taste there during a commented tasting 3 other Champagnes mainly composed of Pinot Noir*.
*depending on the season and availability, this visit/tastings may take place in a village on the “Côte des Blancs” or in Aÿ-Champagne.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Cramant, Cramant, Marne, Grand Est
Cramant is a famous village on the “Côte des Blancs” called the Kingdom of Chardonnay Grand Cru.
Typical French lunch is provided there in a Champagne bar and dining area.
One bottle of Champagne per group of 2 people is planned during lunch.
Optional on request in the comments when booking and to be paid in addition on site the same day : Gourmet picnic in the heart of the Aÿ vineyards instead of lunch in the dining and Champagne bar (depending on the weather and the season +50 €/pers.) or/and optional Initiation to the “Art of Sabrage” and you will saber your own bottle like Napoleon during lunch (+25€/pers).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Oger, Oger, Marne, Grand Est
Oger is a renowned Grand Cru village of the “Côte des Blancs” with the famous Blanc de Blancs 100% Chardonnay Grand Cru.
This is where we will visit one of the 2 families of independent producers/growers of the day with an explanation of the champagne making process, a visit to the presses, wineries and cellars. You will taste during a commented tasting of many 100% Grand Cru Champagnes : 3 tastings per person or per couple you will share 6 tastings to discover the different “Blanc de Blancs” such as natural Champagne without dosage, from old vines, vintage or even aged in oak barrels, special plots…
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pass By: Avenue de Champagne, 51200, Epernay France
Another must-see Champagne UNESCO World Heritage Site that we will cross is the “Avenue de Champagne” in Epernay, the capital of the Champagne vineyards.
It is considered the most expensive Avenue in the world with its prestigious champagne houses (Moët et Chandon, Perrier Jouët, Pol Roger…), its mansions and its 100 kilometers of cellars which hide 200 million bottles !
Pass By: Mareuil-sur-Ay, Mareuil-sur-Ay, Ay-Champagne, Marne, Grand Est
We will also pass through this 1st Cru village with historic hillsides classified as World Heritage by Unesco and mainly planted with Pinot Noir, in front of the estates since 1818 of Champagne Billecart-Salmon and Philipponnat.
