Vintage Car, Champagne Tasting

From Epernay: Champagne tasting with a vintage car

★ 4.9 227 reviews

2 hours, free cancellation.

from $56 per person

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Duration: 2 hours
Meeting point: 7 Avenue de Champagne, Epernay
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: MY Vintage Tour Company

Overview

A vintage Renault Estafette van rolls up on Rue Jean Chandon Moët in Épernay, and for the next 2 hours that van is the tour. MY VINTAGE TOUR COMPANY runs this experience out of the Avenue de Champagne, and reviewers clearly took to the vehicle, several of them naming their van by name in reviews. The route loops through villages and vineyards with stops at viewpoints, then finishes with Champagne tasted in the middle of the vines.

The guide covers the history of the Champagne region and how the vineyard work changes through the seasons. There is a guided stop at a viewpoint, a short guided walk through a traditional village, and another viewpoint stop for the tasting itself. Weather does not move the tasting indoors, it happens among the rows regardless, so warm clothing is the one thing the listing tells you to bring.

One thing to plan for: the sabrage demonstration, opening the bottle with a sabre, is not in the base price. It costs 15€ per person, and buying bottles of Champagne afterwards is also at your own expense. One reviewer called it a highlight of their trip to Paris, though note that you need to get yourself to the meeting point in front of the Epernay Tourist Office first. No hotel pickup is included.

What's Included

Included

Guide
Tasting in the middle of vineyards

Not Included

Purchase of champagne and initiation to the 'sabrage' of the bottle of champagne (15€/person)

Itinerary

Meet on Avenue de ChampagneMeet in front of the Epernay Tourist Office at 7 Av. de Champagne. The vintage van waits on Rue Jean Chandon Moët.
Vintage car driveRide through the countryside in the Estafette Alouette Renault for 20 minutes.
Viewpoint guided tourA 30-minute guided stop with vineyard views and time for photographs.
Traditional village walkA 10-minute guided tour through a traditional village.
Vineyard Champagne tastingA 30-minute tasting among the vines, held outdoors whatever the weather. Sabrage initiation is optional and costs 15€ per person.
Return driveA final 10-minute ride back to 7 Av. de Champagne.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to know before booking, from the listing details and from what travellers have written afterwards.

Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. The meeting point is in front of the Epernay Tourist Office at 7 Avenue de Champagne, with the van parked on Rue Jean Chandon Moët. One reviewer found the instructions clear and said the departure ran exactly on time.
Dress warmly. The tasting happens in the middle of the vineyards in any weather, rain, cold or wind, so the listing recommends warm clothing. One review also noted that airflow in the vintage van on hot days could be better.
Photos. The viewpoint stops are built for photographs, with the listing promising landscapes and photo opportunities. One traveller mentioned coming away with a great set of pictures.
Language. Guides run the tour in English and French. Reviewers repeatedly praised the guides as knowledgeable about Champagne and the region.
Group feel. One reviewer travelled with a party of six in the van and reported that everyone enjoyed it. The guides come in for repeated praise as knowledgeable and engaging.
Extra costs. The sabrage initiation costs 15€ per person and is not included in the base price, and any Champagne you want to take home is bought separately. One reviewer mentioned being able to buy locally sourced Champagne after the trip.

Common issues. The sabrage demonstration is an extra 15€ per person, and Champagne purchases are also not included, so budget beyond the base booking if you want either. There is no hotel pickup; everyone makes their own way to Épernay. The tasting and parts of the tour happen outside in whatever weather arrives, and one reviewer flagged that the vintage van could use better airflow on hot days.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers the guide and the Champagne tasting in the middle of the vineyards, plus the tour itself in the vintage Renault Estafette. The sabrage initiation is not included, and nor are Champagne purchases or hotel pickup.

Is Hotel Pickup From Paris Included?

No. Pickup is not included on this tour. You meet the guide in front of the Epernay Tourist Office at 7 Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, and the van is parked on Rue Jean Chandon Moët.

How Long Is The Tour?

It runs for 2 hours, split between drives in the vintage van, guided stops at viewpoints, a short village walk and the vineyard tasting. One reviewer found it very informative for the time.

What Should I Bring Or Wear?

Bring warm clothing. The tasting takes place among the vines whatever the weather, including rain, cold and wind. A camera is worth having for the viewpoint stops.

What Is Sabrage And Does It Cost Extra?

Sabrage is the technique of opening a Champagne bottle with a sabre, and the tour offers an initiation to it. It is an optional extra at 15€ per person, and several travellers described it as a memorable part of the experience.

Can I Cancel The Tour?

Yes, the listing allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you are coming from Paris, factor in transport plans in case you need to change them.