Top Things to do in
The 7 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in , Grand Est
Discover the best top things to do in , France including Billecart-Salmon, Champagne Pierre Leboeuf, Champagne Geoffroy, Cite du Champagne, Champagne Bollinger, Champagne Ayala, Champagne Henri Goutorbe.
Restaurants in Ay-Champagne
1. Billecart-Salmon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By GreatRedWine - London, United Kingdom
Billecart-Salmon is very unusual amongst the prestige brands in that it is still family owned - and very much still a family business. They have limited production - only a tenth of some of the big makers - but they consistently rate amongst the most well regarded in champagne. Your friends may never have heard of them - but anyone who knows champagne will know them. This was so much more than the ordinary sort of tourist tour that some of the big houses give. It was lockdown so there was just the two of us but what a fantastic two hours we spent. Our host really knew her stuff - in part because she had spent some of the CV19 lockdown doing jobs in the house that she would not normally have done, she'd pruned vines ("back breaking and cold") helped in the bottling plant in the spring and many other jobs which meant her knowledge was not just the normal script. We visited the cellars, the "Clos" where their most prestigious wine (Cuvee St Hilaire) is born, the exquisite gardens, learned more about oak barrels than I thought was possible (did you know that each of their new barrels is personally authorised by one of the family from one of four barrel making companies). The branding on the barrel tells them exactly what level of "toastiness" to expect. And of course we got to taste some of their products - and they didn't fob us off with the cheapest, nor were the glasses just a sipful. We tried three of their wonderful champagnes. Including one that retails in the UK for north of £100 a bottle. And it cost us.... Nothing, zilch, zero. (well at least until we got to the shop at which point we squeezed the pips out of my credit card). To be honest I'm not sure if that (free tour) was intended or just an oversight that we werent charged - but even if you had to pay (as you do in most of the big producers) it would have been money well spent. What a wonderful way to spend a morning. The staff were extremely helpful - we were offered tours in English or French. Remember though that you must book - there are no "walk ups".
2. Champagne Pierre Leboeuf
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
3. Champagne Geoffroy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Strasity - Victoria, Canada
The tour at Champagne Geoffroy will show you have champagne has been made traditionally and with some special details to produce an exceptional and affordable product. By far the best visit we have had in the area.
4. Cite du Champagne
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 182 reviews
At the foot of Ay’s vineyard hillsides, registered as a UNESCO world heritage site, the Cite du Champagne opens the door of the oldest cooperative of champagne’s winegrowers. During a tour, a tasting or a workshop, travel more than anywhere else, in the heart of the most famous AOC of the world (registered designations of origin), to the discovery of men, lands, wines and Champagne’s work crafts. In the heart of the vineyard, between culture, art and history, discover another Champagne experience.
Reviewed By LouiseStvns - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Our spontaneous visit to Champagne Collet was exquisite. We were too late for a tour, but the staff arranged a separate and perfect tasting of the most beautiful champagnes of the house. Once seated on the lovely patio, we were provided with both useful information on the creation of the wine ánd how to taste the differences. With enthusiasm and clear joy in her work and knowledge of the wines, Isabel and her colleagues made us feel very welcome. Our visit was one of the best of the holiday. As a bonus, Isabel gave us all the must do/sees in the area. Recommended all the way.
5. Champagne Bollinger
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By jamesmH5154VK - Chicago, United States
Bollinger is my personal favorite, so I was very disappointed to be told they did not accept visitors by our tour company. Fortunately, I did some digging on my own and found a third-party site that offered tours. So happy I did, as it was best champagne house tour of the eight that we did. Our guide was knowledgeable and funny, and we ended by tasting five fantastic champagnes, including the Grande Annee, Grande Annee Rose and and RD.
6. Champagne Ayala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Champagne AYALA is one of the longest-established champagne Houses; it has been based in Ay, at the heart of the great champagne vineyards, since it was founded over 150 years ago. Independent and family-owned, it is still today the archety pe of a great and historic House, producing top quality wines which are enjoyed throughout the world for their freshness and elegance. Tastings are on appointment only, from Monday to Friday, from 9h to 12h, and from 2pm to 5pm.
7. Champagne Henri Goutorbe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Champagne Henri GOUTORBE is a family-owned champagne house, situated in the renowned Grand Cru village of Aÿ, in the heart of the Champagne region, 3 km from Epernay. The creation of the champagne range followed the development of the vine nursery, a family tradition born in the beginning of the 20th century and which represents the first stage of the production of champagne wines. Emile Goutorbe was already a nurseryman when his son Henri was born in Aÿ in 1922. Since the 1970s, René GOUTORBE has continued developing the vineyards and has been in charge of producing the cuvees. His children Bertrand and Etienne share his passion and are involved in building the reputation of our wine and of our region. The quality of the grapes, which are harvested manually, is a result of the careful selection of the best vines, based on their genetic features and on the specificities of each plot. You will enjoy the warm hospitality offered by Nicole, René’s wife, and their children.
