Grand Cru Experience
Discover the Heart of Champagne's Most Prestigious Villages
Beyond the famous Champagne houses lies another side of Champagne. A world of Grand Cru villages, family owned estates, exceptional terroirs, and deeply personal experiences.
The Grand Cru Village Experience is designed for travelers seeking a more intimate connection with Champagne. Explore the villages that produce some of the region's finest grapes, meet the families behind the wines, and enjoy exclusive access to producers whose Champagnes are celebrated by collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
Each itinerary combines exceptional tastings, vineyard driven storytelling, gourmet cuisine, and the expertise of Travel and Champagne founder Laura Villanueva, a Wine Scholar Guild Champagne Master and WSET Diploma holder.
Whether you choose Bouzy or Aÿ, you will discover the authentic side of Champagne while enjoying the comfort and service expected from a luxury experience.
Grand Cru Experience: Bouzy
The Pinot Noir Capital of Champagne
Situated on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, Bouzy is one of Champagne's most celebrated Grand Cru villages. Known for producing some of the region's finest Pinot Noir, Bouzy offers a unique opportunity to experience the power, richness, and elegance that define the village's wines.
Morning Experience
Champagne Pierre Paillard
Begin your day with an immersive experience at one of Champagne's most respected grower estates. Explore the vineyards, winery, and cellars before enjoying a gourmet lunch paired with the domaine's acclaimed Champagnes.
Guests gain insight into the family's commitment to sustainable viticulture and their dedication to expressing the unique character of Bouzy's Grand Cru terroir.
Afternoon Experience
Champagne Brice
Continue your exploration with a private tasting experience showcasing another interpretation of Bouzy's remarkable Pinot Noir driven terroir.
Discover the diversity, craftsmanship, and personality that make grower Champagne one of the most exciting categories in the wine world.
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🥂 Grand Cru Pinot Noir terroir
🥂 Vineyard focused experiences
🥂 Gourmet Champagne paired lunch
🥂 Family owned producers
🥂 Exceptional hospitality
🥂 Intimate tasting experiences
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Starting from 2,800 euros for 2
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Visits can be modified based on clients preferences
A more casual local lunch can also be arranged
Grand Cru Experience: Aÿ
One of Champagne's Most Historic Villages
For centuries, Aÿ has been regarded as one of Champagne's greatest terroirs. Located near the heart of the region, this Grand Cru village has supplied fruit to some of Champagne's most prestigious wines and remains a benchmark for world class Pinot Noir.
Morning Experience
Champagne Bollinger
Discover one of Champagne's most iconic producers and explore the craftsmanship behind its internationally renowned wines.
Guests enjoy an in depth look at Bollinger's distinctive philosophy, traditional winemaking practices, and enduring commitment to excellence.
Lunch La Table Henri Giraud
Explore the unique aromas and character of each cuvée as they are thoughtfully paired with a selection of refined seasonal dishes. This convivial dining experience celebrates the harmonious relationship between gastronomy and Champagne, inviting guests to discover how subtle flavors and textures enhance one another.
Guided by the philosophy of the house, each pairing is designed to reveal new dimensions of both the wines and the cuisine, creating an immersive and memorable culinary journey in the heart of Aÿ.
Afternoon Experience
Champagne Henri Giraud
Conclude your day with a visit to one of Champagne's most innovative and highly regarded estates.
Known for its pioneering work with oak and terroir expression, Henri Giraud offers a fascinating contrast to traditional Champagne production while remaining deeply rooted in the history of Aÿ.
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Highlights
🥂 Historic Grand Cru village
🥂 Legendary Pinot Noir terroir
🥂 Exclusive producer visits
🥂 Luxury tasting experiences
🥂 Rich cultural and winemaking heritage
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Starting from 3,900 euros for 2
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Visits can be modified based on clients preferences
A more casual local lunch can also be arranged
Grand Cru Experience: Avize
The Heart of the Côte des Blancs
For lovers of Blanc de Blancs Champagne, no village is more revered than Avize. Located in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, this Grand Cru village is celebrated for producing some of Champagne's most profound and age worthy Chardonnay wines.
Home to legendary growers and exceptional vineyard sites, Avize offers a rare opportunity to experience Champagne at its most intimate and terroir driven.
This experience is designed for guests seeking a deeper connection to the world of artisan Champagne and the renowned Chardonnay terroirs that have made the Côte des Blancs famous among collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.
Overnight Stay
Les Avisés
Enjoy an overnight stay at the iconic guesthouse created by the Selosse family. Nestled in the heart of Avize, Les Avisés offers an authentic and elegant Champagne experience where guests are immersed in the culture, hospitality, and traditions of one of Champagne's most influential families.
The intimate property provides a unique opportunity to stay within one of the region's most celebrated wine destinations.
Lunch Experience
Les Avisés
Enjoy lunch at Les Avisés, where seasonal cuisine is thoughtfully crafted to complement the wines and terroir of the Côte des Blancs.
Lunch reservations will be arranged on your behalf; however, guests settle the restaurant bill directly with the establishment on the day of their visit.
Exclusive Visit
Champagne Jacques Selosse
Experience one of Champagne's most legendary estates through an exclusive visit and tasting. Revered by collectors and wine professionals worldwide, Jacques Selosse has helped redefine grower Champagne through its meticulous focus on terroir, vineyard expression, and artisanal winemaking.
This is one of the most sought after experiences in Champagne and availability is extremely limited.
Afternoon Visit
Champagne Franck Bonville
Continue your exploration of Avize with a visit to this highly respected family estate, renowned for producing elegant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagnes.
Guests will discover a different interpretation of Avize's celebrated chalk soils while enjoying an intimate tasting focused on Chardonnay and terroir expression.
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🥂 Overnight stay in the heart of Avize
🥂 Exclusive Jacques Selosse experience
🥂 Lunch at Les Avisés
🥂 Grand Cru Chardonnay terroirs
🥂 Visit to Champagne Franck Bonville
🥂 Côte des Blancs immersion
🥂 Rare and highly sought after reservations
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By Request $$$$
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Due to the exceptional demand and limited availability of experiences involving Jacques Selosse and Les Avisés, we strongly recommend planning 9 to 12 months in advance whenever possible.
Reservations are subject to availability and confirmation by the participating establishments. No reservations possible in August, September and December - March.
Advance Reservations Recommended
Many of Champagne's most sought after grower producers welcome a limited number of visitors each day.
To secure preferred dates and experiences, we strongly recommend booking 3 to 6 months in advance. Early reservations provide the greatest flexibility and the best opportunity to access exclusive visits, private tastings, and premium dining reservations.
Reserve Your Grand Cru Village Experience
Whether you are drawn to the renowned Pinot Noir vineyards of Bouzy or the historic prestige of Aÿ, your Grand Cru Village Experience will reveal a side of Champagne that few visitors ever discover.
Contact Travel and Champagne to begin planning your bespoke Champagne journey and experience the people, places, and terroirs that define the true heart of Champagne.
Why Book with Travel and Champagne?
Travel and Champagne offers more than a traditional wine tour.
Every experience is personally curated by Laura Villanueva, Wine Scholar Guild Champagne Master and WSET Diploma holder, providing guests with insider access, expert guidance, and a deeper understanding of Champagne's people, history, and terroirs.
Our experiences are designed for travelers who value authenticity, exclusivity, and meaningful connections with the world's most prestigious wine region.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Grand Cru villages represent the highest classification of vineyard terroirs in Champagne and are home to some of the region's most prestigious vineyards and producers. There are only 17 Grand Cru villages in Champagne.
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Experiences are currently available in Bouzy, Aÿ, and Avize with additional villages available upon request.
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For the best availability, we recommend booking 4 to 6 months before your preferred travel dates.
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Yes. All experiences are privately arranged and tailored to your preferences.
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Absolutely. Travel and Champagne specializes in bespoke luxury experiences and can customize visits, tastings, dining, and transportation based on your interests.
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Lunch is included in the price of the Bouzy and Aÿ experience. Lunch at Les Avises is to be paid for onsite to allow for guests preferences.
Begin Your Private Champagne Journey
Begin Your Private Champagne Journey
Bespoke Champagne Itinerary Design
Planning a journey to Champagne but prefer to travel independently?
My Champagne Concierge Planning Service is designed for travelers who want expert guidance, exclusive recommendations, and a professionally curated itinerary while maintaining the flexibility to explore at their own pace.
With years of experience living in Champagne and trusted relationships with renowned houses and exceptional grower producers, I create personalized itineraries that go far beyond what you will find in guidebooks or online searches.
Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, planning a romantic escape, or visiting Champagne for the first time, every itinerary is thoughtfully designed around your interests, pace, and travel style.
Your itinerary may include
Recommended Champagne houses and boutique grower visits
Private tastings and exclusive experiences
Restaurant recommendations from casual bistros to Michelin starred dining
Luxury hotel recommendations
Scenic villages and hidden gems
Local attractions and cultural experiences
Daily route planning to maximize your time
Insider recommendations throughout your stay
How it Works
After booking, we will meet for a private consultation to discuss your travel dates, interests, budget, and preferred style of travel.
Following our conversation, I will create a bespoke itinerary with recommendations tailored exclusively to you.
Please note that this service focuses on itinerary planning and recommendations. Reservations and bookings are not included unless otherwise agreed.
Ideal for
Independent luxury travelers
Couples
Small groups
Champagne enthusiasts
Special celebrations
If you are seeking a refined and unforgettable Champagne day trip from Paris, I would be delighted to curate your experience personally.
Inquire to begin planning your bespoke Grand Cru journey.
Looking to Extend Your Champagne Experience?
If one day in Champagne feels too brief, you may also explore our curated multi-day Champagne luxury experiences, designed for deeper vineyard immersion and unhurried refinement.
For those seeking rare access and exceptional exclusivity, discover our prestige Champagne luxury experiences, crafted for collectors and connoisseurs.
