Grape Escapes has announced it will be running an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime Dom Pérignon Atelier Tour to Hautvillersin commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the death of the French Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon. This two day package – with optional third day – will offer the ultimate in Champagne luxury and include specialist tastings and workshops as well as a one-off guided tour of the private Moët & Chandon-owned church and Abbey, which is normally closed to visitors, and where Dom Pérignon himself is buried. Prices start from £933 per person excluding travel to the region and with a £35 early bird discount when booked 60 days in advance of the tour.

A highlight of both the two and three day tours, only available in the UK through Grape Escapes, is an unforgettable afternoon atelier (workshop) with a Dom Pérignon expert. After a technical tasting of the Dom Pérignon 2004, Dom Pérignon P2 1998 and the Dom Pérignon Rosé 2003, guests will take part in a technical class, focusing on Dom Pérignon's wine and food philosophy, during which an expert will explain which foods are best paired with the Champagnes and why. The atelier will conclude with a dark room experience appreciating the refinery of the Dom Pérignon P3 1982 with no other distractions.

The full three day package includes two breakfasts, one light lunch, two dinners, four prestigious Champagne house visits and 19 different Champagnes tasted across a range of outstanding vintages. It also offers the opportunity to learn the Napoleonic art of Sabrage (opening a bottle with a sabre) during a technical workshop.

Guests can expect exceptional service at the 5* Château les Crayères with dinner in the gourmet brasserie as well as a gastronomic gala dinner with drinks in the hotel's two-Michelin-starred restaurant 'Le Parc' on the final evening.

For more detailed itineraries see http://www.grapeescapes.net/destinations/champagne/the-tours/deluxe-champagne-tour-reims-2-nights/ or call +44 (0) 1763 273 373

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For more information please contact:
Representation Plus
Alison Cryer/Kate Riley
Tel: +44 208 877 4510
E-mail: alison@representationplus.co.uk / kateriley@representationplus.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Grape Escapes is a specialist wine tour operator, offering wine tours to France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Grape Escapes offer a broad range of wine tasting tours and trips to vineyards in Ribera del Duero and Rioja in Spain, Tuscany in Italy, Porto in Portugal and the main French wine regions: Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, The Rhône and The Loire. Grape Escapes run numerous wine tasting trips for individuals, groups (social groups, hen weekends, wine clubs, car clubs, and birthday trips among others) as well as wine tasting trips for corporate clients. www.grapeescapes.net

VIP DOM PERIGNON TOUR IN HAUTVILLERS:

• Please contact Grape Escapes to book places on 08456 430 860 or email at info@grapeeascapes.net.
• Prices start from £933 per person (including early bird discount) based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
• Guests can choose their room grade at the 5-star Chateau Les Crayères in Reims.
•  The price for the two day package includes one breakfast, one light lunch and one dinner plus one visit to a Champagne house and one tasting session with approximately 9 Champagnes tasted.
•  An early bird discount of £35 is available on bookings confirmed and paid over 60 days before travel.
• Travel to the region is not included but the 2-day package does include return taxi transfers to Hautvillers with the three day package including this plus a luxury chauffeured vehicle for the extra day.
• The Dom Pérignon Atelier Experience (day one) will take place on the following dates in 2015: Wednesday 24 June, Thursday 25 June,Thursday 9 July, Friday 10 July, Saturday 11 July, Thursday 8 October, Friday 9 October and Saturday 10 October.

Itinerary for two and three day tours:

Day One

The first day of the tour sees guests arrive in Reims before being transferred to the famous hilltop village of Hautvillers, home of the Dom Pérignon Champagne House. The day starts with a comparative tasting session of three single varietal Champagnes accompanied by a light lunch platter of local delicacies. After lunch, guests are met by an expert Dom Pérignon tour guide for an afternoon atelier (workshop), which includes a presentation of the history of Dom Pérignon, technical tastings, a visit to the cellars of the private Moët & Chandon abbey and a technical class focusing on pairing foods with Champagne. The evening ends back at Château Les Crayères with a four-course dinner and drinks in the gourmet brasserie.

Day Two (Optional day)

Guests booking the three day package are met on the morning of day two by a luxury chauffeured MPV and driven to a small, family-run Grand Cru Champagne House for a tour of the Champagne-making process from press to bottle and the opportunity to learn the Napoleonic art of Sabrage (opening a bottle with a sabre). The highlight of the day is the VIP visit hosted by Taittinger Champagnes. Guests are taken on a private tour of the estate and cellars followed by tastings of three Taittinger Champagnes, including Prestige Cuvée, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs. In the afternoon, guests can visit the prestigious Champagne House of their choice for a tour and tasting session. The list includes Mercie, GH Mumm, Pommery, Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot. Restrictions may apply but Grape Escapes will contact the individual estates accordingly on behalf of the guests.

Day Three

After a leisurely breakfast, guests check out of the hotel.