Your wine trip program
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Day 1 - Bike ride and tastings in the vineyard of Champagne
- At your arrival in Champagne, you will drive towards Epernay where your guide awaits you to begin a half-day bike ride in the heart of the vineyard of Champagne. According to your level (and your motivation!), your guide will adapt the stroll and will show you the most beautiful points of view in the region. A tasting stop at a wine-maker domain as well as lunch will end this little sporting and gourmet escapade.
- Optional - You then drive to the Marne Valley, to Boursault precisely where you are expected at Maison Le Gallais to experience a "100% wine masterclass": presentation of the stages of winemaking, a tour of the cellars closed with a tasting of 3 wines of the Maison.
- At the end of the afternoon, you will reach your accommodation close to Epernay, the Champagne Philippe Martin, a lovely guestrooms located in the small village of Cumières.
- Enjoy dinner at a restaurant offering traditional and seasonal cuisine - Drinks not included.
- Overnight stay at Champagne Philippe Martin Guest House.
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Day 2 - Escapade in a vintage van in the vines in Champagne
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- In the morning, you leave in a small group for a ride in Estafette (French vintage van) where you will be told the history of the Champagne region and the work of the vine according to the seasons. As the highlight of the walk, you will enjoy a tasting of a glass of Champagne in the middle of the vineyards - Optional: choose a private tour with an introduction to the art of sabering the bottle of Champagne
- Optional - Lunch in a restaurant in the town center of Epernay based on a generous local cuisine – Menu starter, main course, dessert (drinks not included).
- Then, you will drive towards Castellane Domain for a commented visit of the property, of the museum and of its famous panoramic tower 60 meters high that will offer you a stunning view above the city of Epernay. The visit is followed by a tasting of champagnes from the property.
Book your stay the whole year and enjoy it between April and October
Options you can add to your trip
Add some activities to your weekend on the vineyard pathway in Champagne (select your options on the booking form):
Wine workshop at the Maison Le Gallais : presentation of the stages of winemaking, cellars tour and tasting of 3 wines of the Maison.
Tour in the vineyards around Epernay in a Renault Estafette (French vintage van): you have the choice between a tour in a small group or a private tour ending with an introduction to the art of sabrage.
Lunch at a restaurant in the city of Epernay.
Accommodations
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Champagne Philippe Martin
The Philippe Martin guest house is located a few kilometers from Epernay, in the village of Cumières and offers a charming, peaceful and authentic stay...
Learn more about Champagne Philippe Martin
Châteaux and wine estates
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Learn more about Domaine de Castellane - ChampagneDomaine de Castellane
The Champagne de Castellane was created in 1895 by Vicomte Florens de Castellane. For more than a century, De Castellane has been blending young, fresh and light wines with fuller, more powerful reserve wines...
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Learn more about Champagne Le Gallais - BoursaultChampagne Le Gallais
The Le Gallais estate is located in the village of Boursault, a few kilometers from Épernay, in the heart of the Marne valley. Its history begins in 1927 when...
Reviews...
WINE ESCAPADE IN CHAMPAGNE
Excellent weekend with flawless organization.
Many thanks to Olivier for his very detailed explanations of vineyard work and for his professionalism.
Very good visits to the estates.
Excellent accommodation at Philippe MARTIN's, with a very interesting 2CV outing.
Only one small downside: the "La Banque" brasserie was of average quality.
(Champagne break - Note : 5/5)
An excellent weekend to discover the Champagne region and champagne.
We started with a mountain bike ride along the Marne with Olivier: a great way to take a break from the week's work. Halfway along, we visited the Philippe Bénard winery with Yoann the winemaker. It was probably the best moment of the weekend, full of authenticity: chatting freely with a small producer and tasting some excellent champagne. What a difference from what we'd been drinking!
The overnight stay and dinner at Clos Saint Georges was also a great time. The hosts are very attentive and the food is delicious.
The next day, our second favorite was the Philippe Martin champagne, the 2CV ride through the vineyards and the soothing atmosphere. The autumn colors on the vines make the landscape sublime.
Finally, hats off to Vinotrip for the program and organization. You never feel rushed, but there's never a dull moment. A very good balance between small winegrowers and big houses to get a good overview of the Champagne region.
(Champagne break - Note : 5/5)
Great weekend for two
An unforgettable stay:
- The "Soul of Champagne" workshop at Domaine J. de Telmont, perfect for opening your taste buds and discovering the subtleties of champagne, with Lucile's friendly welcome and comprehensive explanations.
- The vineyard tour in the folkloric deu-deuche and in the company of Philippe Martin, who is as at ease on his hillsides as he is on the benches of the Assemblée Nationale, and who knows everything there is to know about his vines.
- Overnight at Clos Saint Georges, with an excellent welcome and a succulent dinner. The property has enormous charm.
- The mountain-bike tour along the banks of the Marne with Olivier Stennier, with beautiful views before and after crossing Epernay, and the visit to Philippe Benard's cellars, with many explanations and always a warm welcome. Special mention for the meal shared with Olivier and his delicious homemade quiche lorraine!
- The Domaine de Castellane, a group visit in a more touristy format, where you don't learn much that's new (thanks to the explanations given on previous visits), but which is well worth a visit for the size of the cellars and the historical perspectives offered by the tour.
A faultless tour, thanks to Vinotrip and the professionals who welcomed us and shared their passion with us.
(Champagne break - Note : 5/5)
Very nice stay
- Domaine Philippe Martin and the deu-deuche ride through the vineyards, very good.
- The Maison de Castellane and its huge cellars, very interesting.
- The bike ride along the banks of the Marne and through the vineyards, as well as the visit to the friendly winegrower Philippe Bénard and the meal with the guide were a pleasure.
- The Vieux Puits hotel in Ay is of a very high standard, with a friendly and competent manager and fine, well-prepared cuisine.
My wife and I are regular cyclists, and we found that the mountain bikes provided by our guide were well maintained mechanically.
All in all, a very pleasant stay!
To be repeated under other skies
(Champagne break - Note : 5/5)
Pierre R stay May 2016
Congratulations to the VINOTRIP team on their 3-day discovery tour of the Champagne vineyards. Flawless organization, a simple, warm welcome at every stop, a bed and breakfast worthy of Champagne's history, delectable meals, a variety of visits and activities to discover the gradual contrast between small, old-fashioned vineyards and the sometimes excessive operations of the larger, more publicized estates. But when the champagne's in the glass, the interesting things aren't always where you expect them to be...
As for the mountain bike tour to round off the trip, with Olivier Stennier in Monthelon, it was a really good idea to get rid of the excesses of eating during the 3 days. I can only recommend this friendly professional who was able to adapt the route to my abilities, so that sport and pleasure always go hand in hand.
Thanks again to your entire team for such a well-thought-out stay in Champagne.
(Champagne break - Note : 5/5)
Original and very pleasant stay
A mountain bike ride through the vineyards and over the hills is a great way to discover the region! And with an enthusiastic guide!
The workshop at the Domaine de Telmont is a masterpiece of finesse. Dinner and overnight stay at Clos St Georges are very pleasant, in a peaceful setting...bring a GPS to find your way around on the first try. The 2CV tour the next day is brilliant!
All in all, a great weekend, original and well organized. Thank you Vinotrip!
(Champagne break - Note : 5/5)
Champagne break
Wonderful vinotrip organization! Olivier took us on a superb mountain bike tour, adapting to our level. He described his job as a vineyard caretaker and took us to a producer of excellent champagne. Afterwards, we shared a meal à la bonne franquette!
We then took a remarkable personalized tour of the Gallais estate. Then on to Md Martin's extraordinary chambre d'hôte. Excellent dinner at Bistro 7 before an excellent night's sleep. Finally, a memorable ride in a 2CV, with further pertinent explanations.
We drank very well ... and were given pertinent explanations on how champagne is made and everything to do with its marketing.
Unfortunately, everything would have been perfect if we hadn't ended up with a dreadful meal at the bank... we'll soon forget that and remember the rest!
Thank you Vinotrip !!!!
(Champagne break - Note : 5/5)