Champagne Private Wine Tour

Upon your arrival at Reims this morning or by private transfer from Paris, our driver will take you to your first appointment of the day: a beautiful private tour and tasting at the friendly Taittinger estate. On a private tour of their Roman chalk caves and Maison, be entertained while learning about the art of champagne making, and finish with a tasting of various champagne styles.

Then, proceed to the prestigious Veuve Clicquot house. Philippe Clicquot, who came from a banking family, founded the house in 1772 and decided to use the family vineyards to build a wine business with big ambitions. However, the most notable figure in Clicquot’s history is his son’s widow, Madame Clicquot. Widowed at the young age of 27 in 1805, her role as the head of a company was unprecedented for a woman in that era, and she is credited with veritably creating a wine empire for the brand. Such vital inventions are still used today, like the riddling table. You will learn all about the history while touring their chalk cellars and conclude with a pre-lunch aperitif of the Grande Dame champagne!

Enjoy a casual à la carte lunch at L’extra, opposite the Boulingrin market; this restaurant is in an elegant 1920s Art Nouveau building. True to its founding ethos of inclusivity and unique to the region, the majority of its staff, from the kitchen to the front house, are mentally impaired. Chef Philippe Joly, formerly the second at the Foch, and pastry chef Francois-Xavier Cormarie lead the kitchen team. The restaurant offers a well-crafted modern menu in a minimalist, contemporary environment. Additionally, the restaurant boasts a fine selection of champagne wines.

After lunch, take a digestive walk around historic Reims, including a visit to the outstanding 12th-century Gothic Cathedral where Charles VII was crowned under Joan of Arc. Before heading to your plush hotel this evening, you will tour one last house, the beautiful Pommery property. Their caves are some of the most extensive and fascinating in Champagne to visit, and you will enjoy a private tour with a tasting of three styles.

Next, check into your lodgings for the next couple of nights. Le Domaine Les Crayères, splendidly located in the heart of the Reims countryside, is nestled within a seven-hectare park teeming with lush greenery. Once the residence of the De Polignac family, this estate has been modernized while preserving the classic “Chateau” style, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. Guests are greeted warmly and can expect impeccable service.

Take some time to freshen up and unwind at the hotel for a few hours before dinner. The evening’s highlight is a gastronomic feast at the estate’s Two Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, led by Chef Philippe Mille. With its extensive wine list, the dining experience at Le Domaine Les Crayères promises to be the perfect kickoff for exploring the region’s myriad treasures. For those seeking a luxurious end to the evening, the bar offers Krug champagne by the glass.

A later start today, sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and in the late morning, your driver will collect you and take you to pretty Maison Gosset, a relaxed half-hour drive. This chic wine house, the oldest wine producer in Champagne, dating back to 1574, is located just east of Épernay in Aÿ.

During a private tour, you will visit the property and taste their best champagnes, including the Grande Réserve, Grand Millésime, Grand Rosé, and Grand Blanc de Blancs. Before enjoying lunch in medieval Hautvillers, pop into the super friendly Champagne Tribaut, a family-owned champagne grower who sells grapes to some of the most famous big houses, including Taittinger. Relax over an informal tasting of favorites like their Champagne de Rosé Réserve, Cuvée de Réserve, and Grande Cuvée Spéciale, accompanied by homemade snacks while admiring the vineyards and the Montagne de Reims.

Lunch is next at Hostellerie La Briqueterie. Here, you will enjoy a tailored tasting menu that caters to your dietary needs and personal tastes. It features an array of exquisite dishes: Bellota ham, mackerel cooked in oil, smoked potatoes, succulent fillet of Meager, and roasted pigeon breast. To complement the meal, finish with a selection of local cheeses. Each course is expertly paired with a range of French wines, including local champagnes, ensuring a truly memorable dining experience.

After lunch, stretch your legs and enjoy a walk around picturesque Hautvillers. This darling hamlet is set in the Montagne de Reims nature reserve, and an expanse of vines surrounds you. The winding, narrow streets lined with colorful timber façades and beautiful iron shop signs. Before returning to the hotel this afternoon, we suggest visiting Au 36, a trendy wine bar and shop on the famous rue Dom Pérignon. If the weather is pleasant, sit on the terrace, enjoy “une coupe,” and count your blessings.

Tonight’s dinner is at the beautiful two-Michelin-starred Le Parc Les Crayères in Reims. Philippe Mille creates the whimsical menu, and the setting is exquisite, so tonight, you can get dressed up. Enjoy the chef’s taster with wine pairings, and your driver will take you back to your country house after a fabulous meal; this is the gourmet highlight of the trip.

Today, you’ll switch gears, focusing mainly on sightseeing and enjoying the countryside and quaint villages. But first, one last wine experience awaits at the iconic Moet & Chandon house, founded in 1743, where you will taste Dom Pérignon on a private tour.

Their wine cellars, stretching over 17 miles, are among the longest in Champagne, and their Champagne is one of the most popular globally. Of their over 2800 acres of nutrient-rich chalk soil vineyards, over half produce grand crus and a quarter premiers crus. The private visit here is corporate and slick but no less fascinating for this, and you really can’t leave Champagne without having a tour here, as the cellars are extraordinary. Enjoy the Dom and bid farewell to the glamorous Avenue de Champagne, admiring other big names like Winston Churchill’s adored Pol Roger and fashion favorite Perrier-Jouët.

Next is medieval Troyes, just over an hour’s journey through a patchwork of vineyards planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. This romantic town’s historic center is even shaped like a champagne cork! Fairy Tale Troyes has a heritage of stained glass, and you will find sublime Gothic churches here, 16th-century courtyards, a maze of cobblestone alleyways, and a small but important art museum. The town is also famed for its andouillette sausages. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own, enjoying the fabulous shops, gardens, and architectural patrimony.

Tonight, you’ll stay at the five-star boutique hotel Maison de Rhodes, once a convent, situated in the heart of the old town and formerly associated with the Knights of Malta. Your hotel has a dreamy little pool where you can take a dip before dinner. Dinner tonight is laid-back and charming, served at the enchanting Le Valentino, set in a medieval courtyard.

Enjoy breakfast in a beautiful courtyard today, weather permitting, and then at your preferred time, your driver will collect you and take you to your next port of call. We hope you had a marvelous time on this luxury wine tour of Champagne!

As Charles Dickens famously said- “Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.” Why not add some elegance to your next vacation?