House Visits
There are around 80 Champagne houses of which about 25 can be visited. In a single day you can visit a maximum usually of 2 Houses. Tours last 1hr 15m to 2hrs and include visits at the cellars followed by a tasting of their signaure Tradional Brut, a Rose and sometimes vintage options are offered. Several Houses now offer casual lunches at their domaines.
Pioneering Efforts to Improve Quality
Established in the 18th century, these historic Champagne houses exemplify the region's dedication to excellence. These houses demonstrate how integrating traditional methods with innovative practices results in sparkling wines of unmatched quality. Significant use of biodynamic farming for their top cuvees further highlights their commitment to preserving the natural integrity and enhancing the flavor profile of their wines. Lanson the 3rd oldest (1760) Champagne House, was the first important House to stress their commitment to organic and sustainable wine growing with an organic Green Label Champagne. 83 percent of the vineyards used for Cristal and Roederer's top cuvees are now farmed bio dynamically.
Mumm
The Mumm brothers, Jacobus, Gottlieb and Philipp, who were from a rich family of German wine merchants and who also owned vineyards in the Rhine valley, arrived in Reims in 1827. Along with their business partner Friedrich Giesler, they set up P.A. Mumm et Cie., the initials standing for the forenames of their father, Peter Arnold Mumm.
Pommery
Founded in 1836, the House created by the wine traders Pommery & Greno, was selling just 45,000 bottles a year. In less than 20 years, thanks to Mrs Pommery, the Pommery House became one of the most important and prestigious Houses of Champagne. In February, 1858, Alexandre Louis Pommery abruptly died. His widow, Louise, took over the control of the winery at the age of 39. She knew virtually nothing about Champagne wines. She built elaborate buildings over her cellars, and developed the Brut style that the British adored. The Pommery estate extends over a large patch of land in the southern part of Reims, called the Butte Sainte-Nicaise. During 19th century, the Champagne was a very sweet wine and only drunk with dessert. Mrs Pommery changed this and created the first champagne without added sugar. The Pommery Brut Nature 1874 was born!
Piper-Heidsieck
Florens-Louis Heidsieck moved to Reims to work as a cloth merchant, and discovered winemaking there. He started making his own wine in 1780 and founded his own House on 16 July 1785. He dedicated one of his wines to Queen Marie-Antoinette which he was granted the honor of presenting to Her Majesty in person. Piper traveled the world promoting Heidsieck Champagne. Fourteen royal and imperial courts made the House their official supplier. In 1838 Henri Piper married Christian Heidsieck's widow! Piper-Heidsieckis now part of the Remy-Cointreau Group.
Louis Roederer
Louis Roederer is one of the largest independent Champagne Houses, owned by the same family since it was founded in 1776. In the period 1832 to 1870, under the direction of Louis Roederer, the house gained top ranking worldwide with sales of 2,500,000 bottles, including 390,000 in the United States and 660,000 in Russia where Louis Roederer Champagne was an outstanding success. In 1876, Louis Roederer II who had succeeded his father created the Cristal cuvee for Tsar Alexander II. Tsar Nicholas II at the beginning of the 1900s nominated Louis Roederer as the official supplier to the Imperial Court of Russia.
Other Houses
Family vineyards provide a warm welcome and a more casual experience than large houses. See first hand - the Champagne production process and indulge in a wide range of tastings that reveal the subtle differences between grapes varieties, terroir, and the winemakers' styles. On request a stroll through the vines can be arranged.
Lanson
Founded in 1760, the only International House to offer a vine to flute experience. Supplier to the British Court & Principality of Monaco. Discover Lanson Green a biodynamic cuvee.
Martel
Medieval chalk quarries dug between the 4th and 15th centuries, eco-museum and 18th century buildings.
Mercier
30 meters down the chalky soil board a little train and travel across a part of the 18 kms-long cellars
Alfred Gratien
Grand & premier cru vineyards in the Cote des Blancs. Each cru vinified separately in 1,000, 228-litre oak barrels without malolactic fermentation.
De Castellane
Old world house with a tower & museum.
Nicolas Feuillatte
Vast and spacious modern the buildings are, expressing unrivalled generosity and glass facades, which mirror the stunning landscapes.
Cellars at Perrier Jouet, Pol Roger, Crystal, Roederer, Charles Heidsick & Laurent Perrier are not open to the public.