Private Full Day Tour – Visit of 3 Champagne Growers from Reims.

Champagne first, details second. This full-day private Champagne tour from Reims mixes three family growers, a meaningful stop at Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers tied to Dom Pérignon, and 10 tastings across the day. You’ll also get a scenic drive down Epernay’s Avenue de Champagne, so the day feels more like a route through the region than a checklist.

I like the way the day is paced for a small group, with a max 8 setup in Mercedes minivans with A/C and time to ask questions. I also love that lunch is built into the experience, with a 3-course meal at Why Not plus a glass of Champagne, coffee, and water.

One thing to consider: this is aimed at smaller family-run producers, and it does not include visits to the big famous houses like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, or Ruinart.

Key highlights from this Reims Champagne growers day

• 10 Champagne tastings spread across the morning and afternoon
• 3 family-run wineries outside Reims, with tastings included
• Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers and a guided walk tied to Dom Pérignon
• Lunch at Why Not in Epernay, with starter, main, dessert, and Champagne
• Private day for up to 8 people with A/C Mercedes transport
• English-speaking guidance that helps you understand what you’re tasting

Small Maisons, not the big-name brands

If you’re the kind of person who wants to learn how Champagne is made, this tour’s focus is the right one. You’re not spending the day inside the most famous mega-houses. Instead, you visit three family-run growers where the tasting feels closer, more personal, and usually more about how and why the wine tastes the way it does.

That matters because Champagne is not one style. Even within a single region, you can taste differences caused by grape selection, blend choices, and aging decisions. When you’re with smaller producers, you often get more room to compare styles and ask follow-up questions about what’s in your glass.

The tour also keeps the emphasis on the region itself, not just the drinking. The stop at Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers connects you to Dom Pérignon, and it sets a historical tone without turning the day into a museum marathon.

How the private ride keeps your tasting day on schedule

This is a private tour, capped at 8 people, and that affects everything in a good way. You travel in Mercedes minivans with A/C, and the day is structured so you’re not herded from one crowded stop to the next.

Pickup and drop-off are offered for hotels in Reims and Epernay only. If you’re staying in Paris, you’ll need a separate plan to get to the Reims meeting point, which is Cour de la Gare, 51100 Reims. Either way, the itinerary ends back at the starting point.

Starting at 9:30 am and running about 8 hours gives you time to actually breathe between experiences. The best part is that the day doesn’t feel like it’s cramming three stops into 90 minutes. There’s breathing room for the church visit, tastings, and lunch, plus enough time later to enjoy the drive around Epernay.

Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers and the Dom Pérignon walkthrough

Your first stop is Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers. You’ll walk through the church tied to Dom Pérignon, and you’ll hear how he was involved in the process. The timing is short, about 15 minutes, but the stop is meaningful because it puts a face and a story onto Champagne’s origin.

In practice, think of this as the day’s “why this matters” moment. Before you’re knee-deep in wine tasting, you get context on the role Dom Pérignon played in the Champagne story. One of the nicest details is that you can see Dom Pérignon’s grave as part of the church visit, so it’s not only lectures and plaques.

This stop also works well for photos, since it’s a distinct place with character. If you’re the sort of person who likes to pair a landmark with a glass later, this is a good emotional setup for the tastings to come.

Potential downside: because the visit is brief, I’d treat it as a first taste of context. If you want a long, slow deep-dive into the abbey, you may want to add extra time in Reims on your own before or after the tour.

Winery tastings outside Reims, the part you’ll feel most

Between the abbey and lunch, the tour includes visits and tastings at three family-run wineries outside Reims. The important number here is 10 Champagne tastings during the day, and that is where you’ll likely spend most of your energy.

You should expect multiple pours that let you compare styles, not one “tourist flight” and done. Guides in this program are also described as warm and patient, and many focus on helping you learn what you like and why. That can be a game-changer if you’re not sure how to describe flavors yet.

A few practical notes so you get more out of the tasting schedule:

• Pace your sips. It’s a long day, and you’ll be tasting more than once.
• Take mental notes. Even a quick jot on your phone helps you remember what you liked at each house.
• Ask questions early. If you know what you like, say it. You’ll get better comparisons later.

Also remember what is not included: you will not be doing tastings at the most famous houses. That’s not a problem if your goal is understanding how the broader Champagne ecosystem works. It can be disappointing if your dream list includes Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, or Ruinart.

Why Not in Epernay, lunch built for champagne lovers

Lunch is at a French restaurant called Why Not. You get a starter, main course, and dessert, plus a glass of Champagne, with coffee and water. The meal slot is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the timing is long enough that lunch doesn’t feel like a rushed pit stop.

Epernay is where the day shifts from learning to enjoying, and lunch is the bridge. You get to sit down, slow the pace, and refuel before the final stretch of the afternoon.

From an experience standpoint, I like how the lunch is tied to the theme. It’s not just “here’s food near a winery.” It’s part of the Champagne rhythm, with a glass included and a menu that matches the day’s tempo.

One consideration: lunch is a set format. If you have strong dietary needs, you’ll want to check options in advance with the provider. The info you have here confirms the course structure and that lunch includes Champagne, coffee, and water, but it doesn’t list alternative menu choices.

Avenue de Champagne after lunch, what to notice on the drive

After lunch in Epernay, you drive through Avenue de Champagne. This is the classic Epernay visual moment, lined with Champagne houses and grand facades. Even if you’ve seen photos before, being there in person has a different feel because the scale hits you quickly.

The itinerary lists this as the final major segment, around 1 hour 30 minutes, and it includes the sightseeing drive. It’s not just scenery either. It’s a way to understand how much of Epernay is shaped by Champagne, from architecture to the “main street” identity of the town.

If you’re the kind of person who wants your day to end with a little beauty and a bit of closure, this works well. You finish with the sense that you saw more than wine.

The 10-tasting tasting plan, plus how to taste like a pro

A Champagne tour can turn messy fast. Too much wine, too little guidance, and everyone starts saying the same thing. This day is set up to avoid that problem by giving you context and a structured number of tastings: 10 Champagne tastings.

Here’s how to approach it so the day actually teaches you something:

• Go slow on the first tasting. Treat it like a baseline so later styles make more sense.
• Compare not just flavor, but texture. Ask how something feels in the glass, like lighter, richer, or more structured.
• If you find a style you love, tell your guide. The day gets easier when you’re not searching for tastes in the dark.
• Expect some producers to show both traditional and newer approaches. This kind of explanation helps you understand why bottles that look similar can taste different.

One of the standout points from the tour experience is that guides help you learn what you’re enjoying. That turns you from a passive drinker into an active taster. And if you’re a fan of details, you might also hear about aging choices, including notes around oak barrel Champagne in the conversation.

If you’re buying bottles, ask what’s possible for how you take them home. The provided info here doesn’t promise shipping, but guides can sometimes help with practical handling of purchases so you don’t end up playing Tetris at the train station.

Price and value for a max-8 private day

At $543.07 per person, this is not a budget option. But it’s also not a random wine day. You’re paying for a private format with a small group, transport in Mercedes minivans with A/C, included entrance fees and tastings at three family-run wineries, and lunch with Champagne.

For a pricing reality check, compare what you would normally pay if you booked:

• private transportation for about 8 hours
• winery admissions and multiple tastings
• a full lunch with a glass of Champagne

On a solo or couple trip, the private cost usually stings at first. But with a cap of 8 people, you also get the benefit of a less chaotic experience and more time with your guide.

One detail that helps with value: the tour doesn’t try to squeeze in the biggest branded names. Instead, it invests time and tastings into smaller producers. If your goal is learning and variety across producers, that’s exactly where your money goes.

Booking timing also suggests demand. This tour is often booked about 57 days in advance, so if your dates are flexible, you might still want to reserve early to avoid losing your preferred guide and schedule.

Who this private Champagne growers tour suits best

This is a great fit if you want a private, teacher-like day with real tastings. It’s especially good for:

• couples or small groups who want calm and time to ask questions
• people who prefer small family-run producers over huge branded houses
• anyone planning a Reims or Epernay trip who wants Champagne without building an itinerary from scratch

It may be less ideal if:

• your top priority is visiting specific famous mega-houses like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, or Ruinart
• you need very specific dietary options for lunch, since lunch is set as starter, main, dessert, and Champagne

Good weather is required for the tour. If weather turns, you can expect a different date or a full refund, based on what the provider offers.

Should you book this Reims Champagne growers tour?

Book it if your idea of a perfect Champagne day includes small producers, a guided story tied to Dom Pérignon, and a tasting-heavy schedule with 10 tastings plus a proper lunch in Epernay. I especially think it’s worth considering if you want to go beyond drinking and actually understand what you like.

Skip it if your dream itinerary includes the big famous houses. This tour is intentionally focused elsewhere, and you’ll want a different add-on or a different tour to cover those specific names.

If you do book, I’d do one simple thing that pays off: tell your guide what styles you enjoy early in the day. With a private setup and repeated tastings, that can turn the whole itinerary into a tailored comparison rather than a generic Champagne lesson.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The private tour runs for about 8 hours.

What time does the experience start?

It starts at 9:30 am.

Where do we meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Cour de la Gare, 51100 Reims, France. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people are in the private tour?

The tour is private for a maximum of 8 people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only for hotels in Reims and Epernay. Pickup in Paris is not included.

How many Champagne tastings are included?

The tour includes 10 Champagne tastings during the day.

What’s included in lunch at Why Not?

Lunch includes a starter, main course, and dessert, plus a glass of Champagne. Coffee and water are also included.

Do we visit famous Champagne houses like Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot?

Visits to famous houses like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Ruinart are not included.

What happens if weather is poor, or if I cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.