About this tour
A full-day private exploration of Champagne's finest terroirs, based from Reims. You'll visit three family-run estates around Épernay, learning how growers craft their wines across the UNESCO-listed Marne Valley and Côte des Blancs. Fifteen guided tastings pair Grand Cru and Premier Cru Champagnes with regional dishes—from the legendary bottles beneath Avenue de Champagne's cellars to local spirits like Ratafia and Marc. A local guide drives you between vineyard villages, revealing how Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay shape the region's character.
Highlights
- Taste 9 Grand Cru and Premier Cru Champagnes with food pairings
- Private visits to three independent grower estates
- Learn winemaking from families who produce their own wine
- Sample regional spirits: Ratafia, Marc de Champagne, Fine de la Marne
- Walk beneath 200 million bottles in Avenue de Champagne cellars
- Explore UNESCO-listed Marne Valley vineyards and villages
- Private transport and knowledgeable local guide included
What to expect
Your guide collects you from Reims and drives into rolling vineyard country. At each of three estates, you'll meet the producers themselves and hear how they source grapes from specific hillsides, blend their cuvées and age their wine. Between visits, you'll taste alongside local cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal dishes that highlight what the region grows. The tastings build in complexity—lighter Blancs de Blancs before richer vintages—and branch into the region's lesser-known spirits. Expect to spend time in cool cellars, walk short distances through vineyards, and ask questions. This isn't a factory tour; it's a working glimpse into how small producers operate.
Good to know
Wear comfortable walking shoes for vineyard paths and cellar steps. Eat breakfast before starting; tastings begin mid-morning. The guide can arrange non-alcoholic pairings if you're driving. Seven to eight hours includes travel time between estates. Hotel pickups within 6 km of Reims are included.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.