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INVITATIONS TO 300-YEAR-OLD PRIVATE CELLARS IN CHAMPAGNE
Tasting secret vintages
TASTE THE FINEST MOËT & CHANDON AND DOM PÉRIGNON VINTAGES AT THEIR ORIGIN
On a three-day journey designed for Mandarin Oriental, Paris, explore the Champagne region, meet producers and cellar masters of iconic houses and enter invitation-only cellars for exclusive tasting experiences with world-leading viticulture experts.
Descend 30 metres and unlock gates to a completely private section of the legendary Moët & Chandon cellar in Épernay and, taste a selection of the 280-year-old Champagne house’s acclaimed grand vintages. Hold a sabre to open fine vintages, with tutelage in the art of sabrage, in a private masterclass with the sommelier at Royal Champagne, head behind closed doors at Dom Pérignon, before discovering the unique biodynamic techniques of Leclerc Briant in a one-of-a-kind experience exclusive to The Luminaire.
DAY 1 - ARRIVE AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PARIS
Begin your journey at Mandarin Oriental, Paris. This contemporary five-star hotel is a short walk from the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries. The Luminaire can arrange a private spa suite experience with Champagne at the award-winning spa or reserve a table for Champagne cocktails at the hotel’s Bar 8. The Luminaire can also make arrangements for dinner at Camélia, which serves French seasonal dishes, overlooking the hotel’s landscaped garden.
DAY 2 - TREASURES OF A UNIQUE TERROIR
After a leisurely breakfast, leave Paris behind with a private driver, arriving in Épernay, the capital of the Champagne region, in around two hours. A private visit to the cellar of pioneering Champagne house Leclerc Briant reveals insight into an innovative style of viticulture. The winery’s sole vineyard, La Croisette, has been cultivated biodynamically since its creation in the 1950s and is the source of the house’s renowned ‘Sélections Parcellaires’ (single vineyard) range. Learn the secrets of growing grapes in balance with nature from world-leading experts, then conclude the visit with a private tasting overlooking Épernay and the magnificent surrounding landscape.
Travel on to the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, where a private ‘sabrage’ masterclass awaits. Learn the art of opening a Champagne bottle with a Napoleon sabre. Toast this new-found skill with a glass from the just-uncorked bottle.
Take our recommendations for Michelin-level 'art on a plate', or a tiny French 'coin' if you'd prefer authentic regional food. Stay overnight at the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, offering exceptional wellbeing and gastronomy experiences in the heart of the vineyards.
DAY 3 - A MONK NAMED DOM PIERRE PÉRIGNON
After a leisurely breakfast, visit one of Champagne’s most legendary and ancient houses, Moët & Chandon, founded in 1743. Discover the art of ‘Haute Oenology’ Champagne making with a private tasting of the prestigious Grand Vintage collections. The intricate Collection Impériale Création No.1 will delight connoisseurs and collectors – a rare, multi-vintage prestige cuvée, and the first of the series 'cuvées d’exception’, released every two years to honour the house’s 300th anniversary in 2043.
Then go behind closed doors for an exclusive tasting experience in the cellars of Dom Pérignon, enjoying vintages not available anywhere else in the world. Learn how young monk Dom Pierre Pérignon reportedly ‘discovered’ champagne in 1693, calling: “Brothers, come quickly, I am drinking the stars”.
Drive back west, returning to Paris.
THE STAYS
FROM £6,825 PER PERSON
For three days, based on two guests sharing.
INCLUSIONS
1 night in a Superior Room at Mandarin Oriental, Paris with breakfast
1 night in a Garden Junior Suite at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa with breakfast
Private cellar visit and tasting guided by experts at Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon and Leclerc Briant Champagne houses with exclusive access to select vintages
Private ‘haute oenology’ masterclass at Moët & Chandon
Private ‘sabrage’ experience with the sommelier of the Royal Champagne Hotel
Luxury private chauffeur-driven journeys as described
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Magnificent in all seasons.
Experiences are subject to availability.
EXCLUSIONS
Flights to/from Paris.
Excursions, meals and drinks other than those mentioned.
Rare or specified vintages for tastings.
ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE
Exclusive access to a private Moët & Chandon cellar to watch the ‘disgorging’ technique, a rarely seen process to eject sediment from Champagne bottles unique to the region.
Accessible by private invitation only, dine at Résidence de Trianon for a seasonal lunch, prepared by the estate’s chef. This neoclassical mansion was commissioned in the early 1800s by Jean-Remy Moët, grandson of the house’s founder, and the man credited with introducing Champagne to the world.
By request and special arrangement, a private visit to an exceptional Château. This exclusive opportunity is a guarded secret and not open to the public. Information about this once-in-a-lifetime experience will be disclosed to guests after booking, with the option to include this extraordinary private visit.
EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATION
A PIONEERING PARTNERSHIP
The Luminaire designs and operates luxury travel experiences for Mandarin Oriental guests and Fans that are rooted in culture and curiosity, with additional products launching each month in close collaboration with Mandarin Oriental hotels around the world.
From a private masterclass with one of the world’s finest watchmaking ateliers in Switzerland, to an immersive trip to the private site where Van Gogh painted his last canvas just outside Paris, each experience has been designed by experts in their field – art historians, conservationists, sommeliers. Discover exciting new ways to explore each Mandarin Oriental destination and enjoy the signature service for which each hotel is renowned.
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Image credits include copyright of Vranken Pommery Monopole and copyright of Leclerc Briant. All rights reserved.