Your Classic Champagne Break is designed to give you a full insight into the Champagne making process. You will visit one of the prestigious houses based in the centre of Reims or Epernay. The sight of millions of bottles of Champagne maturing in the underground cellars is truly breath-taking. Some of the cellars are within chalk Crayères which were excavated by the Romans and others were purpose built over the last 150 years. The visit to the prestigious house will include a tour of the cellars and conclude with tastings of their Champagnes.

Whilst the large houses show the majesty and grandeur that can be found in Champagne making, there is nothing better than meeting the maker and seeing the passion which he or she puts into their art. We therefore focus our tours on visiting the smaller houses where you can do just this. Your Classic Champagne Weekend Break will include a visit to a house that concentrates on the vineyards, where you will see the vines in their varying states during the year and learn about the soil and climatic influences on Champagne making. There will be another small house where you will concentrates on the work in the winery – looking at the presses, fermentation and disgorgement process. One of these smaller houses will be a Grand Cru house where the Champagne is produced using grapes from the very best vineyard plots in the region.

As seasoned Grape Escapes clients will know, in addition to the Champagne, we also consider fine dining to be a prerequisite. Therefore our Classic Champagne Weekend Break will include a traditional 3 course lunch as the guests of one of these Champagne Houses. The meal will be accompanied by a range of their Champagnes (and still wines where these are sold separately).

As well as learning about the champagne making process, our Classic Champagne Break includes a local English speaking tour guide who will give you information on the region, its specialities and history.

For full details of what is included, please see the descriptions below