My family and I are making our first trip over to the Champagne region (staying in Avize) in November. It’s part of a larger trip to Alsace, so we only have a weekend (half of a Friday, all Saturday, half of a Sunday).
In my outreach, it seems 90% of producers are closed on the weekends (some of the big houses aren’t).
Are there any recommendations for visits to producers that are known to be open, especially on Saturday’s? I trend more toward growers versus big house, but will take what we can get with the pickings limited.
I believe Leclerc Briant has weekend hours. I think the wines are a little (sometimes a lot) overpriced, but they were unfailingly friendly and offered a nice little tour and tasting. You have to make an appointment.
Diebolt-Vallois in Cramant was a very nice experience for me. I wrote an e-mail and got an appointment late in the afternoon on a friday, so maybe they will also let you visit during the weekend. Isabelle - I think that is her name - was very friendly and speaks very good English.
I believe both Daniel Dumont and Michael Fagot in Rilly-la-Montagne are open on weekends. I can’t speak to your champagne style, but they are small, enjoyable, and budget friendly. Spitting distance from the train stop which is only 20min from Epernay.
As of now, we’ve got Bereche, Ployez-Jacquemart and Veuve (for my in-law’s) booked. I’ll reach out to the producers mentioned and hopefully have luck booking a Saturday visit.
We visited the region with only one appointment booked, and ended up dropping in at Paul Bara, and had a nicely little tasting. Not suggesting you drop in, but the flexibility makes me wonder if they’d accommodate a weekend visit. Richer Pinot Driven style. Loved it.