Houses We Visit
Henri Giraud
A family house rooted in the soils of Aÿ, Henri Giraud is renowned for its pioneering use of oak — drawing on the Giraud family's own forest at Argonne. Its Hommage à François Hémart and Esprit Nature cuvées showcase a richer, more textural style of champagne, built around grand cru Pinot Noir.
Charles Heidsieck
Founded in 1851, Charles Heidsieck is celebrated among insiders for the extraordinary depth of its reserve wines, matured for years in its chalk cellars beneath Reims. The house does not conduct public tours, making any visit a genuinely rare privilege.
Champagne Deutz
Founded in 1838 (and located in Aÿ since 1853), Deutz is known for elegance and precision, with a long association with grand cru vineyards in Aÿ and Mailly. Guests on the 2027 tour will dine in the house's private President's dining room within the historic Deutz mansion.
H. Goutorbe
A family-run grower producer based in Aÿ, H. Goutorbe crafts champagnes from its own grand cru vineyards with a hands-on, traditional approach. Tour guests are welcomed for lunch with the Goutorbe family themselves — a highlight of the entire trip.
Joseph Loriot-Pagel
Located in the Vallée de la Marne, Joseph Loriot-Pagel is a small family estate where the Loriot family farms and vinifies their own Pinot Meunier-led champagnes. Guests tour the vineyards and cellars with Jean-Philippe or Alice Loriot before sharing a family lunch matched to the wines.
Veuve Clicquot
One of the most famous names in champagne, Veuve Clicquot's history stretches back to 1772 and the formidable Madame Clicquot. Tour guests visit the legendary cellars beneath Reims before lunch at the Manoir de Verzy — a six-course meal matched course by course with Veuve Clicquot champagnes.
Ruinart
Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the oldest established champagne house, famous for its stunning 18th-century chalk crayères — a UNESCO World Heritage site — and a house style built around Chardonnay. A visit to Ruinart is a journey through both champagne history and architecture.
Taittinger
A great Reims champagne dynasty, Taittinger is known for its elegant, Chardonnay-driven style, exemplified by its prestige cuvée Comtes de Champagne. The 2027 tour concludes with a gala dinner at Taittinger, with the full range poured across the meal.
