Uncork Champagne Tours - Reims

Holly L.

Tour Guide Name: Raphael De Vasconcellos
Tour Company: Uncork Champagne Tours
Tour Date: October 29, 2024
Location: Reims, France
Overall Experience
We were initially nervous about finding the right tour company and exceptional guide to spend a full day with, fulfill our tour requests, and so none of us would have to drive, provide transport in a nice, roomy vehicle, at a reasonable rate. Our goal was to visit the Reims Cathedral and learn about key historical sites, then visit a famous Champagne house and a local Champagne grower to experience both worlds. We wanted to learn the family stories, how their Champagne is made and differentiates itself, tour their cellars, and of course, do tastings. We also wanted an authentic French restaurant for lunch. Raphael did not disappoint.

Knowledge and Expertise
We were excited to learn that Raphael has a degree in French History. You can ask him anything and he knows the answers, especially the historical aspects of Paris, Reims (where he is from) and the Champagne region. He shared fascinating insights and historical facts that we wouldn't have learned otherwise.
We also had the chance pleasure of meeting and chatting with Madame Vranken at Pommery- he picked her right out of the crowd.

Communication Skills
Raphael's communication skills were excellent. I planned this trip way in advance, and I had a lot of questions being new to the region. He was prompt and his communication skills were exceptional. I explained to him our "dream tour" and all we wanted to accomplish. He made great suggestions on how to fulfill it. He was not pushy and listened carefully, adjusting our itinerary as many times as needed till we got it right. All along the way, he made sure everyone in the group could hear and understand the information as well.

Organization and Pacing
The tour was well-paced and organized. Raphael managed the time efficiently, allowing us to explore the key sites without feeling rushed. We wanted to finish the day with a quick tasting at Mumm Champagne house. After being told we did not need reservations, we arrived to be told we did. Raphael quickly pivoted and took us to a Champagne Co-op where they warmly welcomed us to taste the Champagne of many growers in one place. Their prices were really reasonable, in fact, we purchased most of our bottles here.

Customer Service
Raphael went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience. He was friendly, approachable, patient (I had a group of 6 women-friends for 42 yrs) and attentive to our needs. His company also offers Tailor-Made Days: If there’s something you’re dreaming of—whether it’s visiting Madame Clicquot’s tomb, taking in picturesque villages, or indulging in the local food scene—he can help to create days that match your interests, just like he did for us.

Safety and Comfort
Safety and comfort were prioritized throughout the tour. Raphael made sure everyone was comfortable, wore their seat belts and well-informed about any potential risks like uneven pavement and divets in the cathedral floors.

Additional Comments
I highly recommend Raphael De Vasconcellos and Uncork Champagne Tours to anyone looking to learn more about French History, the Champagne region, and he offers flexible options: Not everyone wants to focus entirely on champagne, and he can balance cultural stops, scenic drives, or anything else that makes for a memorable day. Whether it is walking through the Reims Cathedral (where over 30 kings were crowned) or exploring the WW1 battlefields of Verdun, Raphael loves bringing these stories to life for his customers. His passion and expertise truly made our experience unforgettable. I will absolutely hire him again if I ever return to France.

Erin W.

Raphael was fantastic! He was incredibly knowledgeable about Champagne and the region. Plus he was a very fun tour guide. I would 100% recommend him without hesitation!

Althea E.

An amazing day with our very knowledgeable and exceptional host, Raphael who picked us up from the train station and whisked us off to Veuve Clicquot where we had our first tour and tasting, lots of purchases after the tour in the boutique and of course we could not leave before checking out the Cafe Clicquot. Our next stop was Perrier Jouet where we had the amazing Summer Pairing Menu, after lunch Raphael took us next door to Moet & Chandon where we enjoyed Dom Perignon in the gardens. Raphael took us to the village of Hautvillers (the home of the Dom Perignon, the monk) I fell in love with this area and took lots of pics. To sum it all up this day tour with Raphael as our host was beyond exceptional, and we highly recommends him, so much so that we will do it again in a few weeks.

Heidi W.

We can’t express how exceptional this experience was for us. Rafael went above and beyond to make our day special. He was extremely knowledgeable and took time to highlight interesting topics about the champagne region and its history. I learned so much!! We highly recommend this tour! Merci Rafie!!!

Merryl B.

We had a wonderful day. Raphael was very pleasant, informative and made our day immensely enjoyable. The sights we visited, and activities were enjoyed by us all. A wonderful balance of history, champagne and great recommendations. He went above and beyond to make it a wonderful day for us.

Dave P.

A very fun and informative tour - I'd never opened Champaign with a sword before! Was also super interesting talking (with translation) with Monsieur Morlet, owner of one of the Champaign producers we visited.

Nena G.

Raphael was an excellent tour guide! He’s very knowledgeable, the tour was diverse with large and small wineries. The day included tours of churches, towns and beautiful French countryside. Raphael was waiting for us when we arrived and got us to the train on time. Highly recommended!

Sallyanne B.

We had such a wonderful day with Raphael. All our needs were taken care of and we learned so much. Loved the flexibility offered to do some of our own requests. Nothing but great memories for us to take away.