On day two, you will be met at the Château by an English-speaking driver/guide for a full day tour as part of a small group (maximum eight people). During the course of the day, your guide will regale you with tales and anecdotes of the history of Champagne and its vineyards, introducing you to the particularities of the region. You will start the day in style with a tour and tasting at the world-famous Moët and Chandon estate. You will also stop at the famous hilltop village of Hautvillers, the “cradle of Champagne.” As well as admiring the spectacular views across the vineyards, your guide will take you on a tour of the village, visiting places such as the Church where Dom Perignon is buried. After such an enlightening morning, you will then be taken to a beautiful private mansion for a unique Champagne tasting masterclass. As well as having the opportunity to taste the three principal grape varieties, a light lunch will also be served. In the afternoon, you will visit a small family-run Champagne House and after a tasting session of their Champagnes, you will enjoy a traditional French aperitif. You will be taken back to the Château at the end of the day.

For those staying an additional night, day three offers you the chance to visit your favourite Champagne House in Reims and we will arrange for return transfers from the Château to the city centre. Subject to your dates of travel/availability, options include Taittinger, where two Champagnes will be served, GH Mumm to taste their Blanc de Blancs and Blancs de Noirs Champagnes, Pommery to sample two Champagnes, Ruinart to taste Ruinart Blanc de Blancs or Ruinart rosé followed by their flagship Prestige Cuvée Dom Ruinart, white or rosé and Veuve Clicquot, to enjoy a flute of their celebrated La Grande Dame. Please note that some of these Houses (particularly Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart) are very popular and offer very few tours, therefore early booking is essential.

After returning to the village in the afternoon, you will be welcomed at the estate of a boutique Champagne maker. As well as having a tour of the property, you will learn the Napoleonic art of Sabrage (the art of opening the Champagne bottle with a sword). Since you will open your own bottles, you will then need to drink at least some of the Champagnes that have been opened.  Learning Sabrage is a tremendously fun and festive activity and not only is it a fantastic photo opportunity, you will also have acquired a new party trick to entertain your friends and family at home with!

In the evening, a four-course dinner (excluding drinks) will be served in the Château’s gourmet restaurant.