Reims: Champagne Family Growers Tour & Tastings Afternoon

Summary

Afternoon in reims tasting champagne with family producers and dom pérignon’s village

You’ll walk historic lanes in Hautvillers, visit Dom Pérignon’s church, and taste six Champagnes at two family-run wineries near Reims—all with a small group and local guide. Expect laughter over fizzing glasses, real stories from growers, and vineyard views you’ll remember long after your last sip.

What’s the experience like?

"That’s the church where Dom Pérignon is buried," our guide said, pointing up the hill as we rolled into Hautvillers. I’d always pictured Champagne as fancy and stiff, but honestly, the air here smelled like cut grass and something sweet—maybe wildflowers? The village was sleepy, shutters half-closed, and there was this quiet hum from bees somewhere. We wandered through narrow streets, past stone houses with faded blue doors. At the abbey church, I tried to read Dom’s name on the old plaque but got distracted by sunlight bouncing off stained glass. It felt strange standing there thinking about how much bubbly started right under my feet.

The first family winery looked almost too normal—just a gravel driveway and a friendly woman waving us in. She spoke slowly so we could follow (my French is tragic), showing us these rows of bottles stacked like dominoes in her cellar. When she poured our first glass, I could hear fizz before I tasted anything. The Champagne was sharper than I expected—kind of green apple and bread crust? Someone made a joke about “breakfast wine” and everyone laughed, even her. We tried three different glasses there; each one felt like its own story. Our guide explained riddling racks and how every bottle gets turned by hand—honestly, I’d never thought about that before.

After that we drove through more vineyards—just endless green lines—and stopped at another small producer. This place had a dog that kept circling our group (I think he wanted snacks). The second tasting was warmer somehow; maybe because we’d loosened up or maybe just the afternoon sun finally breaking through the clouds. By the last glass, I couldn’t decide if I liked the first or third best—but it didn’t matter much. There was this feeling of being let in on something local, not just ticking off a day trip from Reims.

I still think about that view over Hautvillers as we headed back—the hills rolling out under soft light, everything quiet except for someone’s laughter behind me. If you want to taste Champagne with people who actually make it (and hear their stories), this is the kind of afternoon that sticks with you longer than any souvenir bottle ever could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon Champagne tour in Reims

• Meet at Reims Centre train station
• Drive through Hautvillers village
• Visit Dom Pérignon's church
• Taste 3 Champagnes at first winery
• Taste 3 Champagnes at second winery
• Return to Reims Centre train station

Top questions

Where does the Champagne tour start?

The tour starts at 2:00 pm in front of the Reims Centre train station's tourist office (Cour de la Gare, 51100 Reims).

How many Champagne tastings are included?

You’ll taste six glasses of Champagne total—three at each of two family-run wineries.

Is transportation included during the tour?

Yes, transport between stops is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Are children allowed on this tour?

No, children under 10 years old are not accepted on shared tours.

Does the tour include visiting Hautvillers?

Yes, you’ll visit Hautvillers village and its abbey church where Dom Pérignon is buried.

Will there be a local guide?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the tour throughout.

How long does the afternoon tour last?

The tour runs from 2:00 pm to approximately 6:30 pm.

Is lunch included on this Champagne tour?

No lunch is included; only Champagne tastings are provided at each winery.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup from Reims Centre train station by your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees for both family-run wineries with three tastings each (six total), all visits in Hautvillers including Dom Pérignon’s church—and then you’re dropped back at your starting point around 6:30 pm.