Your Guide to the Best Small Champagne Houses

Hi there, fellow Champagne lovers! It’s Sarah, your resident Champagne enthusiast, back with another insider guide to help you plan the perfect trip. I often get asked, “Where can we visit independent winegrowers?” and “Which small Champagne producers do you recommend?” Well, I’m here to share my personal favorites – those charming, family-run estates where you can experience the true heart of Champagne.

Now, keep in mind, this list is based on my own experiences and preferences. Champagne is a region full of passionate artisans, and I’m constantly discovering new gems. I’ve focused on wineries offering a warm welcome, authentic interactions, and of course, fantastic Champagnes!

In reality, for family-run estates, we don’t say “Champagne Houses” because that term is reserved for large négociants who buy grapes or wines rather than produce everything themselves. I’ll introduce you to the vignerons de Champagne—those who master the process from start to finish (or almost!). These independent producers are the ones to watch if you’re looking for an authentic Champagne experience.

Ready to dive into the world of independent producers? Let’s go!

How to Plan Your Visit to Champagne Winegrowers

• Book in advance: Many independent producers only accept visitors by reservation, and spots can fill up quickly, especially during weekends and high season.
• Plan around closures: Many smaller vineyards are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so make sure to check opening hours ahead of time.
• Group sizes: These small houses often limit the number of visitors per tour, ensuring a more personalized experience. Be prepared for smaller, more intimate groups.
• Weekend availability: If you’re planning to visit on a weekend, look for houses that stay open on Sundays.
• Use platforms for easy booking: To plan your activities, consider using platforms like Rue des Vignerons or Viator for a seamless booking experience.

Why Visit Small Champagne Houses?

Before we jump into the list, let me tell you why I’m so passionate about small Champagne producers. Visiting these wineries is a chance to:

• Meet the Makers: You’ll likely be welcomed by the winemakers themselves or their families, giving you a more personalized and intimate experience.
• Hear Their Stories: Learn firsthand about the family history, winemaking philosophy, and the unique terroir of their vineyards.
• Discover Hidden Gems: You’ll taste Champagnes you won’t find in your average supermarket, often made with meticulous care and in limited quantities.

Champagne Jacquinot & Fils – Independent Winegrower in Epernay

Distance: 0 km from Epernay, 29 km from Reims

Located just a stone’s throw from the Avenue de Champagne, Champagne Jacquinot & Fils is one of Epernay’s hidden gems. Despite being surrounded by some of the most famous champagne houses, this small family-run vineyard offers an intimate and educational experience. The tour is simple yet insightful, taking you through their cellars and production process.

• Tasting options: €30 for a visit and 3 champagne tastings.
• Reservation required: Yes, book online to secure your spot.
• Closed: Sundays and Mondays.

This visit is perfect for those with limited time in Epernay who still want to experience the charm of a small winegrower.

Champagne Julien Chopin – Independent Winegrower in Monthelon

Distance: 7 km from Epernay, 36 km from Reims

Situated on the Champagne tourist route, Champagne Julien Chopin is known for its welcoming atmosphere and excellent selection of champagnes. Their tastings are laid-back, making it ideal for both first-time visitors and seasoned champagne lovers.

• What makes it unique: Julien Chopin is renowned for its Ratafia, a traditional fortified wine made from Champagne grapes. You’ll have the chance to sample this unique aperitif and learn all about its history.
• Oenological lunch: €65
• Tours and tastings: From €20
• Board and champagne tasting package
• Escape game
• Closed: Sundays and Mondays.

Champagne Desruets – Independent Winegrower in Hautvillers

Distance: 6 km from Epernay, 28 km from Reims

Hautvillers, famously known as the village of Dom Pérignon, is home to Champagne Desruets, a family vineyard with over 100 years of tradition. Champagne Desruets offers an exceptional look into the history of champagne production, with one of the oldest traditional presses still in use. Meet Sabine: Sabine, the passionate owner’s wife, will guide you through her family estate and share her love for Champagne.

• Tasting options: Tours start at €25 for a cellar visit and tasting.
• Reservation required: Yes, and you can cancel up to two hours before.
• Closed: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

For those interested in combining history with their champagne experience, Champagne Desruets is a must-visit.

Champagne Pierre Leboeuf – Independent Winegrower in Ay-Champagne

Distance: 7 km from Epernay, 33 km from Reims

In the historic village of Aÿ-Champagne, Champagne Pierre Leboeuf is known for its friendly, hands-on approach. This family-run house specializes in manual production, and their traditional methods are on full display during your visit. Their caves are especially beautiful, and their wines offer a truly authentic taste of the region.

• Tasting options: Tours and tastings start at €22.
• Closed: Sundays.

Champagne Blaise Lourdez – Independent Winegrower in Damery

Distance: 8 km from Epernay, 30 km from Reims

For a unique champagne experience, visit Le Jardin d’Isabelle at Champagne Blaise Lourdez. This hidden garden along the Marne River is open for three months during the summer and offers an idyllic setting for a picnic paired with champagne tastings. Outside of summer, tours of the press and cellars are available year-round. Meet Isabelle: Isabelle’s infectious smile and warm hospitality will make you feel right at home.

• Tasting options: €25 for a tour and tasting.
• Special experiences:
  • Special harvest tours (during harvest season only)
  • Picnic area available during summer, with a tasting of 2 cuvées for €15
  • Cellar visit and tasting of a choice of 2 vintages
• Closed: Open year-round, but the garden is summer-only.

Champagne Doyard Mahé – Independent Winegrower in Vertus

Distance: 19 km from Epernay, 50 km from Reims

Located in Vertus, Champagne Doyard Mahé offers a friendly, family-run atmosphere. Carole, the owner, is a descendant of one of the founders of the CIVC (Interprofessional Committee of Champagne Wine), which is the organization responsible for protecting the Champagne name and ensuring the quality of its production, and she takes pride in showcasing her family’s heritage. Visitors can tour the cellars and enjoy tastings that highlight their carefully crafted wines.

• Tasting options: €40 for a tour and tasting of 5 champagnes.
• To book a visit: Send an email to champagne.doyard-mahe@wanadoo.fr
• Closed: Sundays.

With its rich history and Carole’s warm hospitality, this vineyard is perfect for visitors looking to dive deep into the world of champagne production.

Champagne Collard-Milesi – Mareuil-sur-Ay

Distance: 9 km from Epernay, 33 km from Reims

A visit to Champagne Collard-Milesi is not just about the wine—it’s about the whole experience. The estate’s restaurant, Le Clos Corbier, serves delicious local meals paired with champagne, and their cellar tours are engaging and informative. You can also opt for vineyard tours by electric bike or van. If you’re looking for a full-day experience, this is the place to go.

• Tasting options: €85 for a tour, tasting, and lunch.
• Special experiences: Bike tours through the vineyard.
• Tour and tasting workshop: €40
• Open daily (a great option for Sundays!)

Champagne Jean Milan – Independent Winegrower in Oger

Distance: 12 km from Epernay, 44 km from Reims

In the Côte des Blancs, the Champagne Jean Milan house focuses on the Chardonnay grape, known for producing some of the most delicate and refined champagnes. The estate includes a small museum where visitors can learn about the champagne-making process and see ancient winemaking tools.

• Tasting options: €15 for a self-guided tour and tasting of 3 champagnes.
• Closed: Sundays afternoons

Champagne Cordoin Didierlaurent – Independent Winegrower in Port-à-Binson

Distance: 17 km from Epernay, 35 km from Reims

As one of the first stops when arriving in Champagne from Paris, Champagne Cordoin Didierlaurent in Mareuil-le-Port is a hidden gem for those looking to dive right into the region’s wine culture. This family-run vineyard covers 8.5 hectares, focusing on Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The house’s approach to winemaking, including vinification in oak barrels, offers a distinctive taste compared to many others in the area.

• Tasting options: €8 for a tasting of 3 champagnes.
• Closed: Sundays.

It’s an excellent first stop for those entering the region by car, and the beautiful tasting room with panoramic views of the vineyards only enhances the experience.

Champagne A. Margaine – Independent Winegrower in Villers-Marmery

Distance: 12 km from Epernay, 44 km from Reims

For a more personal and engaging experience, Champagne A. Margaine in Villers-Marmery offers tours with Mathilde, the 5th-generation owner. The village of Villers-Marmery is known for its unique terroir, where Chardonnay grapes dominate the landscape—a rarity in the Montagne de Reims. Mathilde adapts the tours based on visitors’ interests, making every visit memorable.

• Tasting options: €15 for a tasting of 3 champagnes, €35 for a full tour and tasting.
• Closed: Sundays.

This visit often begins in the press room with an explanation of the village’s focus on Chardonnay and may even include a walk in the vines if the weather permits.

Champagne Penet – Independent Winegrower in Verzy

Distance: 27 km from Epernay, 23 km from Reims

Sometimes the best discoveries are the unplanned ones. That’s how I stumbled upon Champagne Penet in Verzy, and I’m so glad I did! Nestled in the village of Verzy, Champagne Penet offers a cozy and welcoming environment where visitors can discover their wines, made from grapes grown on the Montagne de Reims. This is an ideal stop for those interested in learning about smaller producers who put a special emphasis on terroir-driven champagnes.

• Tasting options: €43 for a tour and tasting.
• Closed: Sundays.

Champagne Michel Fagot – Independent Winegrower in Rilly-la-Montagne

Distance: 18 km from Epernay, 15 km from Reims

Just a short drive from Reims, Champagne Michel Fagot offers a beautiful tour that includes both traditional and modern elements of winemaking. The visit takes you through their old and new presses, modern cuverie, and finally, down into the ancient chalk caves where their champagnes are aged.

• Tasting options: Starting at €25 for a tour and tasting.
• Open: Daily.

This house combines tradition and innovation, making it a great choice for those interested in both the history and future of champagne production.

Champagne Alfred Tritant – Independent Winegrower in Bouzy

Distance: 18 km from Epernay, 28 km from Reims

Are you ready for a truly unique Champagne visit experience? At Champagne Alfred Tritant, you can enjoy both traditional tours and something much more special—lantern tours! I have to admit, this was one of the most unusual and memorable visits I’ve experienced. The atmosphere during the lantern tour is just completely different. First, you listen, and then you slowly let your eyes adjust to the dim light, exploring the surroundings in a whole new way.

I’ve done my fair share of cellar tours, but here I found myself, like everyone else, holding up my lantern to see the bottles, the inscriptions, and everything around me. The cellar feels like a labyrinth, adding to the charm, and the tour itself is thorough and fascinating. And to top it all off, the lantern-lit tasting was a delightful bonus that I truly enjoyed. It’s an immersive experience you won’t want to miss!

• Lantern Tour: €13
• Standard Tour: From €12
• Book online: https://www.champagne-tritant.fr/en/

---

Visiting an independent winegrower in Champagne offers a unique glimpse into the heart of the region. These small champagne houses provide personalized experiences, where you can truly connect with the people who make the wine. From relaxed tastings to vineyard bike tours, the diversity of experiences is as rich as the champagne itself.

Have you chosen any small producers from the list for your visit? Which vineyard are you most excited to explore? Or are you planning to book a tour with one of these hidden gems? Let me know in the comments below, and feel free to share your plans for your Champagne adventure!

I hope this guide has inspired you to venture beyond the big names and discover the magic of small Champagne producers.

• Discover the best luxury hotels in Epernay and Reims for a sparkling night
• Discover my guide to Champagne house cellar visits in Reims and Epernay
• Explore Châtillon-sur-Marne and the Urbain II statue during your stay
• Here are the Best Champagne Houses to visit in Reims for First-Timers
• Top Tips for Visiting Champagne Houses