Vallée de la Marne · Champagne
Photo: Pline / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Aÿ is a Grand Cru champagne village about 3 km from Épernay, home to the houses Ayala, Bollinger and Deutz and to many winegrowers. Its station is on the Ligne des bulles train between Reims and Épernay.
Aÿ's vineyard is classified Grand Cru, the highest level of the appellation. The village is about 3 km from Épernay in Champagne.
Aÿ-Champagne was the main center of the Champagne industry in the 16th century. It has a gothic church, large private mansions, many winegrowers and the champagne houses Ayala, Bollinger and Deutz. It is labeled a Petite Cité de Caractère.
Bollinger has two parcels in Aÿ, Chaudes Terres and Clos Saint-Jacques, that resisted phylloxera and were never replanted on American rootstock. They are worked with draft horses.
The Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne have been UNESCO World Heritage since July 4, 2015. The three component sites are the historic hillsides, Avenue de Champagne in Épernay and Saint-Nicaise hill in Reims.
Visit type and starting tasting fee for the main houses are in the table below.
| Estate | Visits | Tasting from |
|---|---|---|
| Champagne Bollinger | Appointment, Monday to Friday | — |
| Champagne Ayala | Booking | €30 ($32) |
| Le Clos Corbier | Booking | €40 ($43) |
| Champagne Deutz | — | — |
Ayala is at 1 rue Edmond de Ayala. It offers three visits:
Le Clos Corbier is a 19th-century champagne house at 5 Boulevard Nicolas François Billecart. Its 1 hour 30 minute visit takes in the mini-vineyard, the press, the cellar and the vat room, and ends with a tasting of 3 champagnes.
Adults pay €40 ($43), a non-alcoholic adult rate is €32 ($35), and children pay €20 ($22). You can book online through ticketing sites, with free cancellation up to 48 hours before the visit.
Bollinger is at 20 Boulevard Maréchal de Lattre. The house is open for visits all year, by appointment, Monday to Friday. Its shop is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Champagne Deutz is based in Aÿ, at 16 rue Jeanson.
Bollinger is open for visits all year, Monday to Friday, by appointment.
Aÿ-Champagne station is on the Ligne des bulles, which runs between Reims and Épernay every 30 minutes and also stops at Rilly-la-Montagne, Germaine and Avenay-Val-d'Or. From Paris Gare de l'Est, the train to Épernay takes about 80 minutes; change there for Aÿ. By car, Épernay is about 1½ hours from Paris. Local buses serve Aÿ from Épernay station, along with Dizy, Pierry, Moussy, Chouilly and Mardeuil.
No. Bollinger takes visits by appointment only, Monday to Friday, and its tours and events are booked through the house's 1829 app. Walk-ins are not accepted, so book before you travel to Aÿ.
Take the Ligne des bulles train one stop to Aÿ-Champagne; it runs between Reims and Épernay every 30 minutes. Local buses also serve Aÿ from Épernay station. The village is about 3 km from Épernay.
Ayala's visits run from €30 ($32) for a 30-minute introduction to €60 ($65) for the 1 hour 30 minute Experience Ayala and €105 ($113) for the Vintage Experience. Le Clos Corbier charges adults €40 ($43) for a visit with 3 champagnes.
The vineyard is classified Grand Cru, the highest level of the appellation. Bollinger owns two Aÿ parcels, Chaudes Terres and Clos Saint-Jacques, that resisted phylloxera and were never replanted on American rootstock. They are worked with draft horses.
À La Française / Viator
You spend 3 hours at one family-run winery near Épernay, with six tastings and lunch included. Groups are capped at 12 and a local guide leads in English. At €90 ($97), the fee covers entrance, tastings and the meal.
From €903 hours
Best for: A hands-on tasting class with lunch, small groups
Sparkling Tour / Viator
You visit three family-run Champagne growers outside Reims in a private minivan with air conditioning, for up to 8 people. The 8-hour day starts with hotel pickup in Reims or Épernay and includes entry and tastings of 10 Champagnes. It costs €495 ($535) from.
From €4958 hours
Best for: Small groups who want a private day with three growers
À La Française / Viator
You spend 8 hours 10 minutes with a local English-speaking guide in a group of no more than 8. The day covers a Veuve Clicquot visit, a family-run winery and a traditional lunch. At €330 ($356), it includes 9 Champagne tastings and admission.
From €3308 hours 10 minutes
Best for: Small-group full day: one big house, one grower
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