I’ve scheduled visits for an upcoming trip (to Champagne, Burgundy, and N. Rhone). I reached out by email in French (I used Google translate) to be courteous. I started reaching out about 3 months in advance because some are slow to respond (some will respond the next business day). A few (e.g., Chartogne-Talliet, Roger Coulon, and Selosse [who I think only does tastings for guests of his hotel]) asked if I could check back in about a month before my visit. No one was upset that I reached out early.
I tried to avoid calling since I can’t speak French and due to the large time difference, but I gathered the courage to do so in an attempt to schedule some tastings only a couple of weeks in advance. I asked, in French, if they spoke English and they were always able to find someone who did and they either told me about their availability over the phone or gave me a good email address to contact.
While a small amount of producers didn’t answer my emails (and one didn’t answer my calls), most responded and all who did (even they very prestigious domaines where I knew I had almost no shot) were polite, professional, and/or friendly.
I’d be very surprised if someone charged me for a tasting without letting me know what it would cost when booking the visit. Most estates in Champagne I contacted have what I consider a reasonable tasting fee. Some didn’t tell me there was a fee, so I’m guessing it’s free but I should (and hope to) buy some bottles.
Some will just tell you how long the visit will last, but others won’t tell you unless you ask. Georges Vernay let me know the visit will only last about 30 minutes (I’m not sure if this is standard or if that’s all the time they have that morning), but others told me to expect anywhere from 1 to 2 hours.
Hope you have a great trip!