The House’s Most Exclusive Summer Experiences
Some landscapes reveal their true character only to those willing to discover them from a different perspective.
Throughout the summer, Champagne Philipponnat offers an experience that unveils the Champagne hillsides from a viewpoint few have the opportunity to enjoy: from the Marne Canal itself. On board a privately chartered boat, guests glide gently along the waterway that has played such an important role in the region’s economic and viticultural history. Gradually, the historic hillsides listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site come into view, together with the villages lining the riverbanks and, around a gentle bend, the spectacular slopes of Clos des Goisses.
Seen from the water, the unique character of this singular vineyard becomes even more striking. Its dramatic incline, reaching up to 45 degrees, its full southern exposure and its commanding position above the river reveal themselves with remarkable clarity. It is a perspective enjoyed by very few visitors.
The journey continues in Mareuil-sur-Ay with a visit to the House’s historic cellars, followed by a guided tasting of several cuvées. It is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the connections between the terroirs, the wines, and the women and men whose expertise brings them to life.
For a fortunate few, the experience can continue in an even more exclusive setting. On a handful of occasions each year, Clos des Goisses opens its gates for an intimate luncheon in the heart of the vineyard. Overlooking the Marne Valley, guests are welcomed among the vines for an experience where the landscape itself becomes the first and finest accompaniment.
More than simply a lunch, it is an invitation to understand the intimate relationship between a place and the wine it produces. As each course is served, successive vintages reveal the subtle nuances of this singular terroir, while the sweeping view across the hillsides offers a constant reminder that the identity of Clos des Goisses is inseparable from its origins.
Beyond the experience of wine tourism itself, these moments reflect a conviction that lies at the heart of Champagne Philipponnat: a great Champagne is understood even more profoundly when enjoyed where it is born. Between river, vineyard and historic cellars, summer offers a rare opportunity to step inside the House and discover the intimacy of its terroirs.
