The Champagne harvest: everything you need to know

26/08/2026

Every year, at the end of summer, Champagne comes alive for one of the most important moments of its calendar: the harvest. For two to three weeks, thousands of grape pickers harvest the grapes that will eventually become the region’s future Champagne cuvées.

For both locals and visitors, this is a truly unique time of year. The villages come alive, the presses are working at full capacity, and the vineyards take on a whole new atmosphere. If you’re planning to visit Champagne during this special period, here’s everything you need to know.

🍇 The 2026 Champagne harvest Is expected to be exceptionally early!
Due to this year’s weather conditions, the first grapes are expected to be picked around 15 August 2026, significantly earlier than in a typical year. However, the exact harvest dates will be determined village by village, depending on the ripeness of the grapes.

📅 When does the Champagne harvest take place?

In Champagne, the harvest generally begins between late August and mid-September. The exact timing varies from year to year depending on the weather, sunshine levels, grape varieties, and grape maturity.

Before the harvest begins, the Comité Champagne monitors the development of several hundred vineyard plots to determine the ideal time to start picking. The aim is to harvest grapes with the best possible balance between sugar and acidity, which is essential for producing exceptional Champagne.

✂️ Why are the grapes harvested by hand?

Unlike many other wine regions, grape harvesting in Champagne must be done by hand.

This method helps keep the grape bunches intact until they reach the press. This is particularly important because Champagne includes white wines made from black grapes such as Pinot Noir and Meunier. Damaged grapes could colour the juice and affect the quality of the future wine.

Every year, nearly 120,000 grape pickers take part in the harvest, making it one of France’s largest agricultural events.

🍇 A unique atmosphere in the vineyards

The harvest is about much more than simply picking grapes: it marks the culmination of an entire year’s work in the vineyards.

From sunrise, teams work their way through the rows of vines. Tractors transport crates of grapes to the presses, villages welcome seasonal workers, and a unique sense of excitement fills the entire wine-growing region.

For visitors, it’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Champagne from a more authentic perspective, beyond the traditional image of cellars and tastings.

👀 Can you see the harvest in progress?

Yes, but it is important to follow a few simple rules.

The vineyard plots are privately owned, so you should never enter the vineyards without permission. Harvest workers are working at a fast pace, and safety remains a priority.

That said, it is perfectly possible to watch the teams from the vineyard roads or from the villages. Some Champagne Houses and independent growers also offer specific tours or experiences during the harvest period, depending on the year.

🍾 Can you visit Champagne houses during the harvest?

Yes! The major Champagne houses generally remain open to visitors, as do many independent growers.

However, this is an especially busy time of year. Some tours may be adapted or offered at specific times. If you’d like to visit a Champagne House during the harvest, we strongly recommend booking in advance.

🚗 Experience the harvest differently

The harvest is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of year to explore the Champagne wine region. The landscapes are stunning, the villages come alive, and the vineyards reveal their most authentic side.

At My Vintage Tour Company, we take you through some of Champagne’s most beautiful villages in an authentic vintage car. It’s a unique way to discover the vineyards, experience the excitement of the harvest, meet passionate winemakers, and make the most of this very special time of year.

An experience to live at least once

The harvest is the beating heart of Champagne. It represents the expertise of the region’s winemakers, the passion of thousands of people, and the beginning of a new journey for the future cuvées.

If you want to experience Champagne at its most authentic, the harvest season is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit the region. Between breathtaking landscapes, genuine encounters, and a unique atmosphere, it’s an experience that stays with you — and offers a whole new perspective on Champagne.

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Discover our experiences in Champagne: vintage vehicle tours, tastings, unique activities, and unforgettable moments.

Book your experience or create your own in just a few clicks: we’ll help you design a tailor-made moment.

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What our guests say about us

    
 
 
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   Ariana M 
 
 
 
 vérifié Worthwhile, delicious, and exceptional with kids! Excellent experience with Colleen (guide) and Louise (vintage vehicle)! We left from Reims, visited a wine field, visited a winery to experience more traditional processing, had lunch at the phenomenal Prise du Mousse (gratin dauphinois is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten and that’s not just the champagne talking), off to another winery with more modern processing, then out to Dom Perignon’s hometown and a lesson in sabering champagne. A beautiful experience and well worth it!! 9 glasses of different champagnes + 1 regional specialty (Ratafia). Kindly provided a car seat for our 4 year old, as well as juice and a thoughtfully designed activity book. We had a few minutes before lunch and even got to stop at a local playground. Excellent history and narration provided throughout!
  
 
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   Sylvain C 
 
 
 
 vérifié Un moment privilégié ! Une très chouette virée entre amies dans les vignes champenoises au soleil...Tout y était, les belles estafettes Suzie et Marcel (conduites avec expertise), les pauses explicatives claires et techniques (mais pas trop techniques), l'atelier sabrage, le bar à bulles et ses petits gâteaux... et surtout le sourire, la bonne humeur et les petites attentions de Maëva et Marjorie, aussi pétillantes que la boisson locale! Mille mercis pour ce joli moment de partage !
  
 
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   JessieK-T 
 
 
 
 vérifié Perfect day with the perfect company We had bike rental for the whole day plus a picnic for 4 people. Everything was perfect from start to finish. The bikes were electric and brand new and easy to use. The routes were already available and you just chose the one that suited your needs. The picnic made the day even more special. It was more than enough delicious food, picnic blanket, cutlery, champagne. The owner was very accommodating regarding pick up and return and responded very quickly. We would definitely recommend using this company!
  
 
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   jjmlubbers 
 
 
 
 vérifié Beautiful tour We hebben een prachtige en gezellige tour gehad door de mooie Champagne regio. Romain was erg enthousiast en we hebben veel geleerd over Champagne en de geschiedenis. We hebben er van genoten en komen nog eens terug in de lente/zomer!
  
 
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   benedicte et je... l 
 
 
 
 vérifié Moment inoubliable en famille Un moment inoubliable pour toute la famille des plus jeunes jusqu’aux plus vintages. Des estafettes et guides au top , on a tous fait le plein de bonne humeur et de bulles Bravo !!!
  
 
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   Chris0076 
 
 
 
 vérifié Expérience topissime Expérience insolite topissime! Une journée incroyable au milieu des vignes, visites de caves dégustations et sabrage de champagne, un excellent moment! Merci à Coline pour sa gentillesse
  
 
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   Julie/Chester 
 
 
 
 vérifié Perfect Valentine Birthday trip Celebrated my 60th birthday with a fabulous tour with a group of friends. Our hosts were so lovely and made it such a special day. Everyone without exception loved it. We were picked up from chateau Etoge so no one had to drive - and we had plenty of champagne (and delicious food) enroute. Thank you for making it such a memorable day.
  
 
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   Letaur 
 
 
 
 vérifié Découverte sensorielle et motorisée autour des bulles de champagne. Super sympa pour découvrir la face cachée du Champagne et les Maisons du champagne et leur histoire. Ballade commentée avec professionnalisme. Arrêt dans les vignes pour faire de jolies photos et en apprendre plus sur la fabrication de ce pétillant nectare. Marcel, notre"bolide" était vraiment trop mignon. La cerise sur le gâteau : la dégustation en plein milieu d'un coteau et l'exercice du sabrage. Nos deux petits poilus, nos teckels ( Malô- Bern et Igor) étaient de la partie et ils ont aussi appréciés.
  
 
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   Dennis M 
 
 
 
 vérifié Prachtige tour door Epernay en omstreken E-bike tour door Epernay en omstreken. Prachtige tour die makkelijk via routeplanner op telefoon is in te stellen (QR-code). Goede en vriendelijke service!
  
 
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   Carine C 
 
 
 
 vérifié Une expérience à ne pas rater/ Une magnifique expérience avec une guide au top qui connaissait très bien sa région, ses richesses et son savoir-faire. A refaire sans hésiter !
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Évaluation Tripadvisor : 4.9 sur 5, Basée sur 341 avis,affichage de nos derniers avis