It goes without saying that a champagne lover dreams of visiting the historical Champagne wine region of France. And making multiple stops to visit the famous Hautvillers champagne houses must be at the top of the list.
The village of Hautvillers is home to several small and family-run champagne houses. If you’re due for a visit, make sure to include in your list these favorite champagne houses: J-M. Gobillard & Fils, G. Tribaut, Marion-Bosser, Joseph Desruets, and Fernand Lemaire.
These are only five of the many houses that line the streets of Hautviullers. Choose your stops according to your preference, budget, schedule, and availability.
Where Is Hautvillers?
Champagne has remained synonymous with parties and celebrations for many years. For any fan of champagne, it would be a dream come true to come visit the historical Champagne region of France. The wine region is most famous for its production of the world-famous sparkling white wine.
When one plans a trip to the historical Champagne region, the towns of Reims (and visit Champagne Taittinger) and Epernay are for sure at the top of the list, and rightfully so. But if you’re already in the region, you don’t want to miss out on a visit to the famous French village of Hautvillers.
Hautvillers is located northeast of the region of Champagne and south of the Montagne de Reims, a regional natural park where most champagne vineyards are located.
More than the Champagne House: What Is Hautvillers Known For?
The village of Hautvillers is widely known as the home of the famous Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon. It’s also sometimes referred to as the historic capital of champagne.
Dom Pérignon is credited for his work in developing the wine-making process of the champagne we all know and love today. While many believe the monk to be the inventor of the champagne-making process, he is not and historians have debunked this. He, however, contributed largely to the development of the process.
Because of the village’s rich history with Dom Pérignon and champagne in general, it has gained the nickname “le Berceau du Champagne” or “the cradle of Champagne”.
The Abbey of St. Peter in Hautvillers was a former Benedictine monastery and was once the home of Dom Pérignon. In 1983, the building was classified as a monument of historical value. It’s currently open to public visits all year round.
Today, Hautvillers is home to several champagne producers and houses producing all varieties of champagne, even the coveted Grand Cru champagnes. Most of the sparkling wine houses are family-run and with a focus on local wine and champagne.
UNESCO World Heritage List
In recognition of the region’s contribution to the development of champagne and its unique agro-industrial system, the village and other surrounding towns and areas were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.
The area’s vineyards, harvest huts, cellars, and pressers were all included. The historic vines around Hautvillers, Aÿ, and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ; Saint-Nicaise Hill near Reims; and the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay are the three categories included in this list.
Champagne Houses to Visit in Hautvillers in the Famous Champagne Region
If you find yourself planning a trip to the historical village of Hautvillers and find that the information from their local tourist office isn’t enough to satisfy you, make sure you make a stop at these famous champagne houses for tours and champagne tastings:
- Champagne J-M. Gobillard & Fils
Founded in 1933, Gervais Gobillard started the champagne house in the heart of Hautvillers and remains there as a family-run institution to this day. The house operates 30 ha of vines, mainly in Premier Cru.
The champagne house grows three champagne varieties: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. This allows them to curate authentic flavor profiles for the rest of the world to enjoy.
About 30% of the blend also comes from reserved wine from previous years, allowing a consistent style and flavor among their champagne offerings.
- Champagne G. Tribaut
This champagne house was founded in 1935 in the Premier Cru village right in the heart of Hautvillers. It started as a family-owned business and continues to be to this day with the fourth generation of the family joining in the business.
Today, the house operates 12 ha of vineyards with several varieties of grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir) that their patrons have grown to love.
The winery is open all year to welcome visitors and tourists.
- Champagne Marion-Bosser
Another mus-do in the historic village of Hautvillers, Champagne Marion-Bosser is a local champagne house that started in 1994 and still stands for more than a century now.
The house is in the Premier Cru vineyard and cultivates champagne’s three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
As it is a family-run business, one can expect the business owners themselves to show visitors around the family estate so they can learn how businesses produce champagne. The champagne house offers both private tastings and vineyard tours.
- Champagne Joseph Desruets
The champagne house of Joseph Desruets was first established in 1888 right in the heart of the Marne Valley in Hautvillers.
It’s family-owned and the current generation who runs the house still maintains the family’s traditional methods of wine and champagne making.
This can be seen in the old press that the facility still uses to this day. This was installed back in 1888 when it first opened and is still in use today in making champagne. This is the oldest press in the Champagne wine region that is still in use to this day.
- Champagne Fernand Lemaire
The Jean-Philippe Bosser was established in 1911 and is now entering into its 5th generation of families running the business of wine-making.
The house’s vineyards are situated in the Premier Cru with three notable and major grape varieties grown: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.
The champagne house boasts an environmentally friendly approach to managing its vineyard. This approach is recognized by two separate certifications Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne as well as High Environmental Value approach to winegrowing.
Conclusion
It’s every champagne lover’s dream to visit France’s historical Champagne region. If you are making plans to visit, make sure you include a list of must-visit Hautvillers champagne houses.
There are several champagne houses in Hautvillers, most of them are small and family-run. Make sure you make a stop at champagne houses like J-M. Gobillard & Fils, G. Tribaut, Marion-Bosser, Joseph Desruets, and Fernand Lemaire.
These are only some of our suggestions. Of course, book a tour and tasting based on your preference, budget, and availability.
