Small champagne houses worth visiting

Chasing Bubbles — A journey through champagne: Part 2

In my previous post, I shared what you can do in Épernay to learn more about Champagne history and wine making process. But there’s another side to Champagne I didn’t talk about yet…

Did you know there are over 2,000 Champagne producers in the region?

And many of them are family-run houses. They are small, passionate, and open to visitors.

In this post, I’m sharing our three favourite houses, each with their own personality where the love for Champagne making truly shows.

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Before we begin: A tiny cheatsheat...

• Blanc de Blancs → 100% Chardonnay; fresh, elegant

• Blanc de Noirs → Pinot Noir or Meunier; fuller, richer

• Grand Cru & Premier Cru → vineyard quality classifications

• Cote de Blancs →

• Cote de Noirs →

• Hillsides = the best sun = the happiest grapes ☀️

  
  

You don't need to remember everything. Just go, listen to their story and enjoy the bubbles.

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1. Champagne Henri Giraud - A quiet luxury place

   📍 Aÿ (10 minutes from Épernay)

   
   

   We didn’t book ahead, but we called and they kindly squeezed us in for a tasing.

   
   

   Their style is rich and complex rather than simple fruity freshness. They use mainly Pinot Noirs and oftent age in oak, which gives the depth and complexity. We tried the Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Meunier. It was one of those tastings where you nod after the first sip, like “oh… this is so different.”

   
   

2. Champagne Launois

   📍 Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Grand Cru

   
   

   This is a small, family-run house with a lot of heart. Before tasting, you walk through a tiny museum filled to the brim with vintage champagne making tools. from barrels, presses, old bottles, you name it.

   
   

   The cellar tour is in a small group and ended with tasting and the Champagnes are exactly what a Blanc de Blancs made exclusive from Chardonay, should be: fresh, crisp, and full of that chalky, mineral tase.

   
   

   

   Launois family pic made of muselets.

3. Paul Bara

   📍Bouzy, a Grand Cru village famous for Pinot Noir

   Another small producer but open to public. We got a personal tour, learning every step of the Champagne-making process.

   
   

   Our host was incredibly friendly. A kind, sweet lady who grew up in the region and shares her passion and love for Champagne in such a warm way.

   
   

   At the end, their Bouzy Rouge (a still red wine!) really surprised me. Who knew a Champagne village could also make such beautiful red wine?

   
   

   

   Special bottles waiting to be opened :)

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Tips for visiting small champagne houses

• Email or call 1-2 weeks in advance. Some places can fill up quickly.

• Plan weekday visits. Most houses close at the weekend.

• Bring a light jacket. Celler are cold even in the summer.

• Take your time with the tasting

• Buy the bottles you love. Many small producers aren’t easily found outside the region.