The Monk, the Abbey, and the Prestige Cuvée
Dom Pérignon is the prestige Champagne brand of Moët Hennessy, named after Pierre Pérignon — a Benedictine monk who served as cellar master at the Abbey of Hautvillers from 1668 to 1715. The popular legend credits Dom Pérignon with inventing Champagne (“Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!”), though this is historically inaccurate — he did not invent sparkling wine, and the famous quote is a 19th-century invention. What he did do was significantly advance the quality of Champagne production — pioneering blending techniques, improving vineyard management, and developing methods for producing clearer, better wine. His real contributions were substantial even without the mythology.
A Dom Pérignon tour experience connects to this history primarily through the Abbey of Hautvillers — the monastery where the monk lived and worked, located approximately 6 kilometres north of Epernay in a hilltop village overlooking the Marne Valley.
Visiting Hautvillers and the Abbey
The Abbey of Hautvillers is a functioning church (not a museum) and Dom Pérignon’s tomb is inside. The village of Hautvillers is one of the most charming in the Champagne region — stone houses, vineyard-flanked lanes, and panoramic views across the Marne Valley. Several small grower-producers in Hautvillers offer tastings, making the village a worthwhile destination beyond the abbey itself.
Dedicated Dom Pérignon experiences are occasionally available through Moët & Chandon (which owns the Dom Pérignon brand) as premium or private tours. These may include access to specific cellars, vertical tastings of Dom Pérignon vintages, or guided visits to Hautvillers with expert commentary. Availability is limited and seasonal — check with Moët & Chandon or local tour operators for current offerings.
The standard Moët & Chandon cellar tour in Epernay covers Dom Pérignon’s history and the brand’s production as part of the broader house tour. Premium tasting options at Moët include Dom Pérignon cuvées.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the Dom Pérignon cellars?
Dom Pérignon does not operate a standalone visitor centre. The brand’s history is covered on the Moët & Chandon tour in Epernay, and premium Moët experiences may include Dom Pérignon tastings. The Abbey of Hautvillers (where Dom Pérignon lived) is accessible as a church visit.
Where is Dom Pérignon buried?
In the Abbey of Hautvillers, approximately 6 kilometres north of Epernay. The abbey is open to visitors as a functioning church. The tomb is inside the nave.
Did Dom Pérignon really invent Champagne?
No. Sparkling wine was produced before Dom Pérignon’s time, and the effervescence was initially considered a fault rather than a feature. Dom Pérignon’s contributions were to blending, vineyard quality, and production methods — significant advances that improved Champagne but did not invent it.