Ruinart: The First House (1729)

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

Crayères — chalk pits carved by Gallo-Romans 2000 years ago — soar 38 METERS HIGH at Ruinart (4 Rue des Crayères, Reims), the same height as Reims Cathedral's nave. These underground cathedrals require advance booking months ahead at ruinart.com (€75 Classic, €180 Dom Ruinart with rare vintages, max 8 people). Look UP when you enter — you're standing 12 stories below ground level.

🔄 BACKUP: Call directly for last-minute cancellations.

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Nicolas Ruinart founded the house in 1729 — the OLDEST champagne house, with his uncle Dom Ruinart being friends with Dom Pérignon himself. At the heritage display, ask: "Do you have anything from 1729?" They preserve documents, records, and bottles from the early 1800s representing 295 years of unbroken continuity at champagne's birthplace.

🔄 BACKUP: Gift shop has excellent historical materials.

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8 kilometers of UNESCO World Heritage tunnels connect crayères of dramatically different sizes — from intimate chambers to cathedral vaults at a constant 11°C perfect for aging. As you walk, notice how ceiling heights change and ask: "What's the oldest section we can see?" The deepest crayères are the most ancient, carved when Rome ruled Gaul.

🔄 BACKUP: Shorter route available for mobility issues - still includes main crayères.

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Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) and Dom Ruinart prestige cuvée represent the purest expressions from the house that started it all, tasted IN the caves rather than a modern room. Ask during your underground tasting: "Why did Nicolas Ruinart choose this exact location?" The crayères were already 1700 years old when he arrived in 1729.

🔄 BACKUP: Cheese pairing option available to extend.

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