Champagne Alfred Gratien

So glad we ventured up the hill to find this place, the champagne was great and the service was top notch!

First - Mélissa was an absolutely amazing host, and our experience was fantastic from start to finish. Even before the tour began, she noticed that we had been charged twice due to a booking glitch, got in touch to let me know, and arranged the refund incredibly quickly. That level of care immediately gave us a great impression.Some background - We usually stay in Reims during our annual trip to France, but this year we decided to spend a couple of nights in Épernay instead. We deliberately wanted to avoid one of the larger Champagne houses, as in our experience the big-producer tours can sometimes feel a little polished and gimmicky. A friend recommended Alfred Gratien after having a lovely experience there, so we decided to give it a try - and we’re so glad we did.We were part of a group of 10, five couples, and Mélissa was brilliant at reading the group and getting everyone involved from the very beginning. We happened to visit during a heatwave, and as the result the house was preparing to receive its first batch of juice (super early), so there was lots happening and people were actively working and cleaning the barrels. It made the visit feel particularly authentic and gave us a fascinating glimpse into the real work behind the Champagne.One of the highlights was learning that Alfred Gratien is one of only two remaining Champagne houses to ferment its wines in wooden barrels, the other being Krug. Seeing the process first-hand was genuinely fascinating. Mélissa was incredibly knowledgeable and, importantly, never made us feel that any question was too basic. She was also funny, warm and engaging, which made the whole tour feel relaxed and personal rather than like a rehearsed presentation.The cellar tour was excellent, and the tasting at the end was generous and really enjoyable. The Champagnes were lovely, and we particularly enjoyed the Cuvée Paradis 2016.Most of all, though, Mélissa made the experience. She clearly knows her subject, but it was her enthusiasm, humour and ability to connect with our group that really stood out. She is a real asset to Alfred Gratien and a wonderful ambassador for the house.We would happily recommend this tour to anyone looking for a more personal and authentic Champagne experience. A big thank you to Mélissa for making our visit so memorable!

….and also our four teenage children found it interesting, and were suitably included with the tasting. Guide was excellent and knowledgable. Thank you Team AG!

Had a wonderful time; Melissa was an entertaining and fun host, great to be with. Knowledgeable about her product and the industry. Small numbers made it more intimate and easier for interacting - recommend visit over some of the larger houses.

Nice smaller Champagne house with an excellent selection of Champagne to choose from. Not directly on the Champagne Avenue but certainly worth the small extra walk. The moisture smell where the barrels are stored, the impressive entrance of the cellar and the interesting explanation by the guide made the visit worthwhile! The tasting at the end of our tour was very generous ? and tasteful.

Muy enfocado a sacar el máximo rendimiento a la inversion.

We had a lovely tour and tasting at Alfred Gratien. The tour guide explained everything well and spoke good English. It was great that he asked if we knew some things and adapted the tour accordingly. He also asked questions, which made it more interactive. When we had questions, he always knew how to answer them and didn't mind explaining things again. The tasting was also good, with explanations. We are very satisfied.

Very good and interesting experience. Very helpful and knowledgeable team.

great visit, hospitality and tasting!