Drappier: The 12th Century Cellars & Rarest Grape

Stand in cellars built by Saint Bernard's monks in 1152. Taste Arbane - the rarest grape in Champagne with less than 12 hectares worldwide. Michel Drappier saved it from extinction 25 years ago. Now the family controls 75% of all Arbane on Earth. Find the Ovum - a 3,342-liter egg-shaped vessel for special cuvées. This is where Champagne's history meets its future.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Touch the 12th Century Walls History · Free

   These walls were built by monks from Clairvaux Abbey (Saint Bernard's monks) in the oldest section of the cellar — 870+ years of continuous wine production connecting Burgundy to Champagne. Ask your guide specifically: "Can you show us the 12th century section?" and they'll point out the difference in stone. Touch the 1152 stonework that has witnessed nearly nine centuries of winemaking.

   Backup: Even without the guide pointing it out, the oldest stones are darker and more weathered.

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2. 2 Taste Arbane - The Rarest Grape Wine · Price: moderate

   Arbane is the rarest of Champagne's 7 permitted grapes with less than 12 hectares existing worldwide, and Drappier owns 75% of it. The wine tastes utterly unique — more mineral, less fruit than typical Champagne. Book the "Quatuor" tasting (includes Arbane) or ask specifically for Arbane in the tasting room after the cellar tour. Price: approximately €25-35.

   Backup: If Arbane is sold out (happens), ask when the next release is and if they have any in the shop for purchase.

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3. 3 Find the Ovum (3,342L Egg Vessel) Wine · Price: low

   A 3,342-liter concrete egg-shaped vessel creates natural convection during fermentation — no stirring needed — and it's visually stunning in the production area. Only special cuvées are made in this Ovum. Ask specifically: "Can we see the Ovum?" since not all tours show it automatically, and request they light it for photography.

   Backup: If not accessible that day, ask about the philosophy behind it - the guides love explaining.

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4. 4 Buy a Bottle of Quatuor (4 Rare Grapes) Wine · Price: high · Optional

   Quatuor contains all 4 "forgotten" Champagne grapes: Arbane, Petit Meslier, Blanc Vrai, and Pinot Blanc — the only way to taste them all in one bottle. Purchase this €50-60 treasure in the shop after your tasting, and ask about vertical vintages if you're a collector since some years showcase the rare grapes better than others.

   Backup: If Quatuor is unavailable, buy separate bottles of Arbane and Petit Meslier.

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Insider tips

• Drappier is one of the few houses where English tours are reliably available

• Book ahead but walk-ins sometimes work - call first

• Michel Drappier saved Arbane from extinction - ask about the history

• The family still runs everything - you might meet them

• Pair with Clairvaux Abbey (22 km) - the monks who built these cellars founded that abbey

• They make a still red wine (Coteaux Champenois) that's excellent and rare