CHAMPAGNE WINE TOURS

HOW IT WORKS

We need 90 days-notice to organize a tour for you. The more lead time we have the easier it is to make appointments at the very best wineries.

Step 1: You complete the form below, letting us know what dates you would like to book and how many people are in your group. We will investigate the possibilities and reply to you within a few days with a proposed itinerary and final price per person.

Step 2: Upon acceptance of the itinerary, we will send you a booking form and a payment link for 30% of the tour price. This payment must be made for us to proceed with making all the bookings.

You are responsible for booking your own accommodation (hotel or Airbnb). We will give you hotel suggestions.

Step 3: We present the final itinerary to you within approximately 2 weeks. When the remaining balance of 70% is paid, we will send you tips on what to do in Reims, where to eat, and what to wear during the tour. We will also send you the contact details of your local Reims team.

Please try to avoid the following French holidays as most wineries are closed:

1 January, Easter Monday (1 April 2024/ 21 April 2025), 1 May, 8 May, Ascension (9 May 2024/29 May 2025), Pentecost Monday (20 May 2024/9 June 2025), 14 July, 15 August, 1 November, 11 November, 25 December.

Yes, the French do love their holidays!

DAY 1

EXPLORING THE GREAT CHAMPAGNE HOUSES OF REIMS

Anton Hobbs will pick you up with your driver at 9:30 a.m. and minutes later you will be at your first appointment, such as Taittinger with its magnificent cellars. Your host at the winery will greet you, and take you on a 2-hour tour explaining the grape growing and winemaking process, followed by a tasting of 3 cuvées.

You will lunch in a very good restaurant with Anton and the champagne will flow. You will have a short time to wander the cobblestone streets of Reims before your driver picks you up and takes you to your afternoon visit. We typically visit Krug, Roederer, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, or Lanson.

After 2 winery visits and a spectacular lunch you will have time to visit the stunning cathedral in Reims, where nearly all the French kings were crowned. The driver will take you back to your accommodation to enjoy the evening on your own.

We make recommendations of various gastronomic restaurants and fun bistros for you to book yourself.

DAY 2
EXPLORING EPERNAY AND THE VINEYARDS

Today you will head off to Epernay, the other important town in the region where many of the great Champagne Houses are headquartered. It’s about 45 minutes’ drive and along the way you will pass by several of the most important vineyards, which Anton will point out as he explains the area.

Your driver picks you up at 9:30 a.m. and takes you to your first appointment. We typically visit Dom Perignon, Bollinger, Gosset, Perrier Jouet, Laurent Perrier, Philipponnat, and Moet et Chandon.

You’ll enjoy another champagne fueled 3-course lunch perhaps in the beautiful Belle-Epoque Maison at Perrier Jouët, with perfect food and wine pairings, including rosé which goes so well with meals. Today you’ll taste around a dozen wonderful cuvées.

We will have you back to your accommodation in Reims by 7 p.m.

DAY 3
THE SMALL GROWERS & OTHER WINES

On the third and final day we explore a selection of smaller houses, boutique wineries, and grower Champagnes, as well as exploring the rare “still” dry whites and reds of the area. Many consider that the smaller growers make some of the most unique wines and this is where the expertise of Anton will be paramount.

By 1.00 pm you’ll be ready for your third and final extravagant lunch in a Michelin starred restaurant where you will be able to taste other styles of the Champagne area, such as their still wines, demi-sec, and Ratafia if you wish.

After lunch you have your final visit, with a magnificent line-up of different cuveés.

Your driver will have you back in Reims by 6pm having had 3 fabulous days.

You can continue the festivities in Reims or you can be dropped at the train station depending on your plans. The fast train to Paris takes just over 30 minutes so you can be back in the city in time for dinner.