La Fête du Champagne New York City 2025 – A Champagne Extravaganza
- EH
- Oct 1
- 22 min read
Updated: Oct 22
October 22–25, 2025 – La Fête du Champagne returns to its home city of New York in grand fashion, promising four days of refined revelry and world-class wine experiences.
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Founded in 2014 by champagne expert Peter Liem and legendary sommelier Daniel Johnnes, this festival has evolved into America’s premier Champagne celebration. Now the event comes full circle back to New York City – the cosmopolitan backdrop where it all began – uniting prestigious Champagne houses and cult grower-producers, Michelin-starred chefs, and passionate oenophiles for an unforgettable long weekend of bubbly indulgence. From rare vintage dinners to walk-around tastings and a black-tie gala, La Fête du Champagne NYC 2025 offers wine lovers a chance to immerse themselves in Champagne’s heritage at the highest level.
The New York sensibility infuses every event with a refined, grand, and cosmopolitan flair. Over four sparkling days, attendees will sip rare vintages in iconic Manhattan dining rooms, mingle with winemakers against skyline views, and savor cuisine from a “who’s who” of top chefs. Below, we preview the festival’s marquee events – each a singular experience unto itself – so you can plan your ultimate Champagne adventure. Whether you’re seeking an intimate Michelin-starred wine dinner in NYC or the excitement of the Grand Tasting, La Fête du Champagne delivers in spades. Read on for a day-by-day guide to this effervescent fête, and prepare to toast “que la fête commence!” (let the party begin).
At a Glance: NYC 2025 Schedule
Wed, Oct 22 — 6:30 PM — Rare Champagne Dinner — Crown Shy (FiDi), 13-vintage vertical (1976–2015) hosted by Émilien Boutillat.
Thu, Oct 23 — 6:30 PM — Comtes de Champagne Dinner — DANIEL (UES), Vertical 2014→1990 with Clovis Taittinger — Sold Out.
Fri, Oct 24 — 12:00 PM — The Magician of Montgueux — Locanda Verde, Hudson Yards, 10-wine deep dive with Emmanuel Lassaigne.
Fri, Oct 24 — 5:00 - 7:30 PM — Apéro au Champagne — Nine Orchard (Greenhouse), LES, Magnums & jeroboams from all attending producers.
Fri, Oct 24 — 7:00 PM — Henriot Through the Ages — Gabriel Kreuther (Midtown West), Vintages 1964→2012 hosted by Alice Tétienne.
Sat, Oct 25 — 10:00 - 11:00 AM — Bouzy & Beyond (Seminar) — Pier Sixty, Four single-cru 2019s with Quentin Paillard.
Sat, Oct 25 — 11:00 - 12:00 PM— Billecart-Salmon – A House’s Evolution (Seminar) — Pier Sixty, Le Réserve NV evolution + Nicolas François 2012 with Mathieu Roland-Billecart.
Sat, Oct 25 — 12:00 - 3:00 PM — Grand Tasting — Pier Sixty, 100+ Champagnes poured by maisons & growers.
Sat, Oct 25 — 6:30 PM — Gala Dinner — Pier Sixty, Michelin-starred feast, rare bottles & BYO sharing tradition.
EP CLUB DISCOUNT:
10% off NYC individual events with code ENPRIMEURCLUB10
22% off with the NYC 3-Event Package – Apéro, Grand Tasting & Gala Dinner – for $1,550 + tax using code ENPRIMEURCLUB (limited availability)
Rare Champagne Dinner at Crown Shy (Wed Oct 22)
The festival’s opening night kicks off in high style with the Rare Champagne Dinner at Crown Shy, one of Manhattan’s chicest modern restaurants. This event brings to New York an extraordinary vertical tasting from the exclusive maison Rare Champagne, guided by Rare’s Chef de Cave Émilien Boutillat. “Rare” is more than just a name – it’s a philosophy. The house has released only 15 vintages since 1976, reserved for years truly deemed exceptional. In fact, attendees this evening will get to taste 13 of those vintages, from the newly released 2015 all the way back to the historic 1979 and 1976 – an unparalleled liquid time capsule. Such an assembly of Rare’s silky, luxurious champagnes is practically unheard of, even in Champagne.
Adding to the magic, Chef Émilien Boutillat – one of the region’s rising stars – will share insights into each vintage. Boutillat trained under the legendary Régis Camus and now carries Rare’s legacy forward, crafting wines celebrated for their “regal” character and “rejection of convention.” To complement these wines, Chef Jassimran “Jaz” Singh, Executive Chef of Crown Shy, will present a multi-course menu melding high French technique with contemporary New York flair. Crown Shy’s cuisine, much like Rare Champagne itself, balances elegance with bold flavor – think perfectly crisped poultry with global spices or inventive takes on seasonal vegetables. Each course is thoughtfully paired to highlight Rare’s signature traits: bright acidity, silky mousse, and mineral complexity.
The setting is equally enchanting: Crown Shy’s dining room in a landmark Art Deco skyscraper exudes downtown sophistication, setting the tone for a truly luxurious Champagne dinner. Guests can expect to toast with highlights like Rare Champagne 2008 (a banner vintage in Champagne), multiple Rare Rosé bottlings (including the elusive Rare Rosé 2008), and marvels from the ’80s like Rare 1985, 1979, and 1976. Experiencing these legendary cuvées side by side is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – a chance to taste how an iconic house’s style evolves over nearly 50 years. By evening’s end, the combination of Chef Singh’s Michelin-starred cuisine and Rare’s liquid gems will have set an appropriately lofty bar for the weekend. This opener is intimate, scholarly, and utterly indulgent – an ode to Champagne’s history in the heart of NYC.
Event: Rare Champagne Dinner
When: Wed, Oct 22, 2025 · 6:30 PM ·
Where: Crown Shy (70 Pine St, Financial District)
Host/Speaker: Émilien Boutillat, Chef de Cave (Rare Champagne)
Ticket Price: $1,250 + tax (very limited seating)
Comtes de Champagne Dinner at DANIEL (Thu Oct 23 – Sold Out)
If any event could challenge the Rare Dinner for pure luxury, it’s the Comtes de Champagne Dinner at DANIEL. It’s no surprise this event sold out almost instantly. Hosted at Chef Daniel Boulud’s two-Michelin-starred temple of French gastronomy, the dinner features Champagne Taittinger’s famed Comtes de Champagne – one of the world’s most revered Blanc de Blancs – presented by Clovis Taittinger himself (a member of the house’s founding family). In a coup for food lovers, Boulud is collaborating in the kitchen with Chef Arnaud Lallement of L’Assiette Champenoise, Reims – a three-Michelin-star chef from the Champagne region. This transatlantic chef partnership promises a menu as refined and cosmopolitan as New York itself, blending Boulud’s classic French mastery with Lallement’s contemporary Champenois flair.
The evening’s narrative centers on Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger’s prestige cuvée that has epitomized Blanc de Blancs elegance since its first vintage in 1952. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grown in five Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs, Comtes is only produced in exceptional years – and tonight, guests will experience a vertical flight spanning 25+ years of this iconic wine. Clovis Taittinger will lead a tasting of Comtes Blanc de Blancs from 2014 back to 1990, including legends like the 1996 and 1995 vintages and the much-lauded 2008. As a special treat, rarer still Comtes de Champagne Rosé will be poured in multiple vintages (2006, 2008, 2012) – wines only made when both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes reach perfection.
Each sip will be paired with a dish from the dual chefs. Imagine the finesse: perhaps Lallement’s signature lobster with Champagne beurre blanc alongside a youthful Comtes 2014 to match its freshness, or Boulud’s decadent black truffle dish with the toasty, mature notes of Comtes 1990. The ambiance at DANIEL – with its soaring coffered ceilings, lush floral arrangements, and polished service – elevates the experience into pure fantasy. Surrounded by fellow connoisseurs and guided by one of Champagne’s first families, guests are in for an evening of pure oenophile bliss. This dinner exemplifies why Michelin-starred wine dinners in NYC are in a league of their own, and it underscores New York’s cosmopolitan appeal: where else could you find a Manhattan culinary icon and a Champagne superstar chef cooking together for a room of Champagne lovers? For those lucky enough to have a seat (and for the rest of us living vicariously), this sold-out night will be one for the ages – truly la vie en Champagne.
Event: Comtes de Champagne Dinner (Sold Out)
When: Thu, Oct 23, 2025 · 6:30 PM
Where: DANIEL (60 E 65th St, Upper East Side)
Hosts: Clovis Taittinger; Chefs Daniel Boulud & Arnaud Lallement
Ticket Price: $1,150 + tax (American Express Platinum/Centurion presale; sold out)
The Magician of Montgueux Lunch at Locanda Verde (Fri Oct 24)
Day three begins with a change of pace and palate: an illuminating Champagne lunch featuring the wines of Jacques Lassaigne, the cult grower-producer from Montgueux nicknamed “the Magician of Montgueux.” Hosted at Locanda Verde Hudson Yards, this midday gathering spotlights Emmanuel Lassaigne, the maverick winemaker who has unlocked the potential of Montgueux’s chalky terroir. Montgueux – a tiny limestone hill near Troyes – is often compared to the Côte des Blancs for its exceptional Chardonnay (locals lovingly call it the “Montrachet of Champagne”). Emmanuel, who took over from his father Jacques in the late 1990s, has earned a reputation as an audacious experimenter and passionate terroir champion. He vinifies each parcel separately and isn’t afraid to push boundaries, even knowing he might wait 5, 10, or more years to see the results of an experimental choice. This bold, patient approach has led to Champagnes of singular character – vibrant, saline, and deeply expressive of Montgueux’s unique place.
Over a relaxed three-course lunch by Chef Andrew Carmellini (the acclaimed chef behind Locanda Verde), guests will taste a “stunning progression of ten wines” from Lassaigne’s cellar. The lineup reads like a wish list for Champagne geeks: Les Vignes de Montgueux NV (an assemblage showcasing the overall terroir), single-vineyard stars like Le Cotet and La Colline Inspirée (both Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs) made from the 2021 base vintage, a vintage Millésime 2016, and six additional library wines that Emmanuel is keeping as a surprise. At Lassaigne’s request, the exact older vintages will only be revealed at the lunch, heightening the anticipation. Will it be an aged magnum of 2008? A rare experimental cuvée? Whatever the selection, each pour will exemplify Emmanuel’s intuitive style – wines that marry razor-edged minerality with creamy depth, often sans dosage to let Montgueux’s fruit shine.
Chef Carmellini’s menu, likely Italian-influenced with seasonal Greenmarket ingredients, will be calibrated to these Champagnes. Picture a crudo or crab salad that plays off the saline purity of Le Cotet, followed by a rich risotto or pasta to match an older, toasty vintage. And in a fun twist, this Hudson Yards location of Locanda Verde offers a fresh scene – a private space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s modern west side. It’s an embodiment of New York’s cosmopolitan dining: a downtown-favorite restaurant reimagined uptown in a sleek new district. Amid the daylight and city views, attendees will engage with Emmanuel Lassaigne himself, whose genial storytelling will animate each glass. Intimate yet enlightening, this lunch will leave guests with a new appreciation for Montgueux’s magic – and perhaps a resolve to hunt down more Lassaigne wine before the rest of the world catches on.
Event: The Magician of Montgueux (Lunch)
When: Fri, Oct 24, 2025 · 12:00 PM
Where: Locanda Verde (Hudson Yards)
Host/Speaker: Emmanuel Lassaigne (Champagne Jacques Lassaigne)
Ticket Price: $650 + tax (limited seating)
Apéro au Champagne at Nine Orchard (Fri Oct 24)
When late afternoon arrives, it’s time to shift gears to pure fun. The New York City Apéro au Champagne is a festive Friday evening apéritif party set in the stylish glass-enclosed Greenhouse at Nine Orchard hotel. If you’re looking for the social highlight of the weekend – a place to mingle with winemakers and fellow Champagne enthusiasts in a relaxed setting – this is it. The vibe is that of a chic New York cocktail soirée, but with one big twist: Champagne flows from large-format bottles all night long. In fact, the organizers have assembled an awe-inspiring range of magnums (and even some jeroboams) from every attending producer, poured by many of the city’s top sommeliers. It’s the ultimate Champagne tasting NYC 2025 style – informal, spirited, and undeniably glamorous.
The venue itself, Nine Orchard’s Greenhouse, is a gem: a historic Lower East Side building turned boutique hotel, with a glass atrium space that feels like a secret garden in the middle of the city. Under the twinkle of string lights and the glow of Manhattan’s skyline, guests will stroll among tasting stations, glass in hand, sampling dozens of Champagnes in magnum. The selection is remarkably diverse, reflecting La Fête’s ethos of honoring both grande marque houses and artisanal growers. One moment you might savor Veuve Clicquot’s La Grande Dame 2015 from magnum, reveling in its prestige blanc de noirs richness; the next, you’re wowed by a small grower’s unicorn like Georges Laval “Les Chênes” 2021 (an organic single-vineyard beauty) or Marie-Courtin “Efflorescence” 2019 – all poured from magnum for extra oomph. Some ultra-rare bottles are in the mix too: keep an eye out for Pol Roger’s 2004 Vintage “Vinothèque” (a late-disgorged treasure) or a Jeroboam of Tarlant 2007 Blanc de Noirs, the kind of showpiece you’ll only see at an event like this. And yes, vintage Champagne in jeroboam tastes as epic as it sounds.
Music will set a lively tone, while gourmet canapés and small bites circulate to keep palates happy. Imagine freshly shucked oysters, caviar-topped blinis, or artisanal cheeses: classic pairings to complement the spectrum of Champagnes. As the sun sets through the greenhouse glass, the atmosphere will be effervescent: laughter, clinking glasses, and multilingual chatter as New Yorkers welcome the visiting Champenois in style. The Apéro is come-and-go as you please, but with so much great wine open, few will want to leave early. By evening’s end, you’ll have tasted everything from Bruno Paillard’s 2002 Blanc de Blancs magnum to Chartogne-Taillet’s single-vineyard 2017 – and perhaps even made new friends, swapping tasting notes and favorite pours. Dress code is smart casual (with plenty of personal flair encouraged), making this the most accessible event of the weekend. It’s essentially a Champagne-lover’s cocktail party, and if you attend one informal event, make it this one. After all, how often do you get to wander a New York City rooftop greenhouse sipping top Champagnes out of magnum until the stars come out? Santé!
Event: New York City Apéro au Champagne
When & Where: Fri, Oct 24, 2025 · 5:00–7:30 PM · Nine Orchard (The Greenhouse), Lower East Side
Format: Walk-around tasting; magnums/jeroboams; oysters, caviar & canapés; music
Ticket Price: $350 + tax
Henriot Through the Ages Dinner at Gabriel Kreuther (Fri Oct 24)
Friday evening brings another blockbuster dinner, this time at Gabriel Kreuther – the elegant Michelin two-star restaurant near Bryant Park – featuring the illustrious house of Champagne Henriot. Billed as “Henriot Through the Ages,” this dinner is a journey across time, showcasing the vintages that built Henriot’s legacy. Leading the exploration is Alice Tétienne, Henriot’s dynamic young Chef de Cave, who will guide guests through a superb lineup of vintage Henriot Champagnes spanning nearly 60 years. For lovers of Champagne history, this is a dream: you’ll taste bottles dating back to the 1960s, including expressions of Henriot’s famed prestige cuvée originally known as Cuvée des Enchanteleurs (now called “Hemera” in homage to the Greek goddess of day). Few tastings – even in professional circles – ever reach this far into the past, making this dinner a holy grail for the serious Champagne collector.
Henriot’s story is one of heritage and resilience. Founded in 1808 by a remarkable widow, Apolline Henriot, the house has for over two centuries pursued a philosophy to “shed light on her lands through Champagne”. That translates to an emphasis on terroir transparency and excellence in the bottle, qualities that Alice Tétienne continues to champion today. To illustrate Henriot’s evolution, Alice has assembled an astonishing flight: we’ll likely start with the house’s crisp Brut Souverain NV as an aperitif, then move through benchmark vintages such as 2012 (in magnum), the lauded 2008 Hemera (magnum), and a rare 2000 Brut in jeroboam – the larger formats showing off how beautifully these wines age. As the courses progress, the bottles get progressively older and more profound: Enchanteleurs 1998 (mag) and 1982, then late-’70s gems like Enchanteleurs 1978 and 1977 (mags), and unbelievably, Vintage 1971, 1970, 1969 (mag), culminating in a pour of Cuvée des Enchanteleurs 1964. The 1964 is truly historic – a Champagne over 60 years old, disgorged long ago, offering a direct sensory connection to another era. Tasting something like that in prime condition is rare beyond words – the kind of experience that gives even seasoned collectors goosebumps.
Chef Gabriel Kreuther, known for his Alsatian-inflected contemporary French cuisine, is crafting a tasting menu to pair with these treasures. Kreuther’s restaurant already has a strong champagne affinity (they boast an excellent list), and his luxurious yet precise dishes – perhaps his iconic sturgeon and sauerkraut tart with caviar, or a decadent squab with foie gras – will highlight the nuances in each aged Champagne. The restaurant’s setting, with its art glass panels and cozy leather banquettes, provides a calm, refined backdrop conducive to savoring every sip and bite. Expect hushed tones of appreciation as each new vintage is unveiled and Alice shares anecdotes of Henriot’s past – maybe how the 1960s bottles survived in Henriot’s Gallo-Roman chalk cellars, or how the house’s style shifted from the rich Enchanteleurs of old to the recently reimagined Hemera. It’s equal parts luxury dinner and living history seminar. And beyond the facts and flavors, there’s an emotional element: by the final toast, guests often feel they’ve communed not just with great wines, but with the legacy of Champagne itself. This is the kind of Michelin-starred wine dinner NYC was made for – intellectually stimulating, extravagantly pampering, and utterly memorable.
Event: Henriot “Through the Ages” Dinner
When & Where: Fri, Oct 24, 2025 · 7:00 PM · Gabriel Kreuther (41 W 42nd St, Midtown West)
Host/Speaker: Alice Tétienne, Chef de Cave (Champagne Henriot)
Ticket Price: $1,650 + tax (extremely limited)
Bouzy & Beyond Seminar with Champagne Pierre Paillard (Sat Oct 25)
After a trio of hedonistic dinners, Saturday morning offers a welcome palate refresher and learning opportunity: the “Bouzy & Beyond” seminar with Champagne Pierre Paillard. Held bright and early at Pier Sixty (the festival’s hub on the Chelsea Piers waterfront), this one-hour session (10–11am) is ideal for those who want to deepen their understanding of Champagne’s terroirs. Pierre Paillard is an eighth-generation grower based in Bouzy, a Grand Cru village famous for Pinot Noir and powerful Champagne. The Paillard brothers, Quentin and Antoine, have become known for their terroir-driven approach – and recently, their ambitions have expanded beyond Bouzy to other prime crus in the Montagne de Reims. This seminar showcases that exploration, pouring a “spectacular lineup of expressive, saline Champagnes from the 2019 vintage” that illustrate different villages’ characters.
Quentin Paillard will lead the discussion. Expect an insider’s look at how factors like soil, exposure, and microclimate influence Champagne style. The 2019 vintage is a perfect lens, as it was a ripe, generous year producing charismatic wines. You’ll taste four single-cru Champagnes side by side: Taissy 1er Cru 2019 and Ludes 1er Cru 2019 (two lesser-known Premier Cru villages – perhaps showcasing Chardonnay from chalky slopes), Bouzy Grand Cru “Les Maillerettes” 2019 (from the Paillards’ own vineyards – likely a Pinot Noir-forward blend or even a single-parcel Blanc de Noirs given Bouzy’s strengths), and Verzenay Grand Cru 2019 (another Pinot-rich village but with a cooler aspect, known for elegance). Tasting these wines in succession is like a crash course in the northern Montagne de Reims. You might notice the floral lift of Ludes vs. the robust fruit of Bouzy, or how Verzenay’s acidity differs from Bouzy’s richness – all while the Paillard Champagnes share a common thread of finesse and salinity.
The format will be casual and interactive: part lecture, part guided tasting. Questions are encouraged. Ever wonder why Bouzy is renowned for still red Coteaux Champenois as well as Champagne? Ask Quentin. Curious about how climate change is affecting these villages? Here’s your chance to learn from a vigneron on the front lines. Surrounded by fellow enthusiasts, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Champagne’s mosaic of terroirs beyond the famous Côte des Blancs and Marne Valley. By seminar’s end, don’t be surprised if you feel energized and inspired – not a bad outcome for a Saturday morning class! Plus, you’ll have primed your palate for the grand tasting to follow. For anyone keen on the geeky side of Champagne (or considering investing in some grower Champagne for their cellar), this seminar is a must-attend that adds educational heft to the weekend’s indulgences.
Event: Bouzy & Beyond (Seminar)
When & Where: Sat, Oct 25, 2025 · 10:00–11:00 AM · Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers
Speaker: Quentin Paillard (Champagne Pierre Paillard)
Ticket Price: $125 + tax
Billecart-Salmon Seminar with Mathieu Roland-Billecart (Sat Oct 25)
The educational fun continues late Saturday morning (11am–12pm) with a second seminar at Pier Sixty – this one centered on the illustrious house Billecart-Salmon. Led by Mathieu Roland-Billecart, the house’s CEO and a 7th-generation family member, the seminar is aptly titled “Billecart-Salmon – A House’s Evolution.” Over one enlightening hour, attendees will get a peek into how one of Champagne’s most beloved maisons is innovating while staying true to its 200-year legacy. Billecart-Salmon, still family-owned since its founding in 1818, has a devoted following (who hasn’t swooned over their brut rosé?). This seminar will particularly focus on the evolution of Billecart’s flagship non-vintage Brut Réserve – recently rebranded as “Le Réserve” after some fine-tuning in the blend.
Mathieu is an engaging speaker, known for his enthusiasm and depth of knowledge. He’ll likely start by sharing a bit of Billecart-Salmon’s history – perhaps the story of Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon whose marriage started it all, or how the house’s wines (like the prestige cuvée Nicolas François created in 1964) gained their stellar reputation over time. With glasses in front of us, we’ll then taste through time: sampling the new Le Réserve NV (current base vintage 2020) against a couple of previous iterations of Brut Réserve, maybe the Base 2018 and Base 2016 editions. This vertical of the house’s NV is fascinating – it’s a chance to see how tweaking reserve wine percentages or adjusting dosage can subtly shift the style, and how a Champagne deliberately crafted for consistency still reflects the personality of its base vintage. Mathieu will explain the recent changes (perhaps they’ve increased the proportion of reserve wines or extended aging, resulting in the new name “Le Réserve”) and what those mean in the glass.
Finally, to highlight Billecart’s apex, we’ll taste the newly released 2012 Cuvée Nicolas François – a wine that has the Champagne world abuzz. The 2012 vintage in Champagne was truly excellent, and Billecart’s Nicolas François (their prestige Brut) is always a showstopper. Early reviews have called it “otherworldly… a masterclass from this great vintage,” with one critic awarding it 97 points and noting its dazzling depth and 10+ years lees aging. Tasting this 2012 next to the NVs will vividly illustrate the difference between a multi-vintage blend and a single-vintage masterpiece. You’ll likely find the Nicolas François 2012 opulent, layered with brioche, wild berries, and a mineral backbone that promises decades of aging. Mathieu can speak to the art of blending Grand Cru fruit from the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs, and how Billecart seeks “balance and elegance” above all.
Expect a few well-heeled collectors in attendance, possibly ready with questions about the house’s direction or maybe even the fate of its cult single-vineyard Clos St. Hilaire. But even if you’re relatively new to Champagne, this seminar is accessible and engaging – an ideal mix of insider storytelling and guided tasting. By the end, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for Billecart-Salmon’s meticulous craftsmanship, and you might be plotting to snag a few bottles of that 2012 before it disappears. Educational sessions like this underscore that La Fête isn’t just about enjoying Champagne – it’s about enriching your understanding of it, directly from the source. And doing so in a sunlit room on the Hudson, with one of Champagne’s aristocracy pouring your wine, is about as cosmopolitan an education as one can get.
Event: Billecart-Salmon – A House’s Evolution (Seminar)
When & Where: Sat, Oct 25, 2025 · 11:00 AM–12:00 PM · Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers
Speaker: Mathieu Roland-Billecart (CEO & 7th-generation family member)
Ticket Price: $125 + tax (American Express Platinum/Centurion exclusive)
Grand Tasting at Pier Sixty (Sat Oct 25)
Welcome to the main event. Saturday afternoon, the doors of Pier Sixty swing open for the New York City Grand Tasting, the crown jewel of La Fête du Champagne. For three hours (12–3pm), this expansive waterfront venue is transformed into a Champagne wonderland – truly “the must-attend walk-around tasting showcasing 100+ Champagnes” from all participating houses and growers. If you’ve ever dreamed of having the world’s finest Champagnes all poured under one roof, this is your moment. The setting is grand and open, with sweeping Hudson River views on one side and row upon row of elegantly draped tasting tables on the other. Upon check-in, you’ll receive a shiny tasting glass and a booklet listing the dozens of Champagnes on offer – then it’s off to the races, tasting at your own pace.
The lineup of producers is staggering. Grande marque legends? Check – from Taittinger and Ruinart to Pol Roger, Henriot, Ayala, and Gosset. Boutique grower-stars? Absolutely – you’ll find the likes of Savart, Bérêche & Fils, Georges Laval, Pierre Gimonnet, Marie-Courtin, Christophe Mignon, Nowack, and many more. Even the ultra-rare Salon will be present (pouring their unicorn Blanc de Blancs), and Rare Champagne as well, plus La Caravelle (a local NYC label beloved by insiders).
In total, over 25 esteemed houses and growers from Champagne are featured, each pouring a selection of their cuvées. You can stroll from table to table, perhaps starting with lighter aperitif styles and moving towards richer, older vintages as you go. Want to compare prestige tête de cuvées? You might taste Taittinger Comtes 2012 at one stand, then head over to try Ruinart’s Dom Ruinart 2010 or Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill at the next. Fancy some rosés? Sample Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé (a benchmark) alongside Laval Rosé de Saignée (a rare treat). The possibilities are endless – and yes, unlimited tasting is encouraged, though sensible pacing (and hydration) is wise.
What makes this Grand Tasting truly cosmopolitan and grand is the presence of the winemakers and experts themselves. Often, the person pouring you that splash of Egly-Ouriet or Delamotte is none other than the winemaker or cellar master who crafted it. Don’t be shy about striking up conversation – they are here to share their passion. Ask about the soil in their village, or how 2015 differs from 2014, or which food they’d pair with their wine – you’ll come away with stories to accompany the flavors. The atmosphere is lively but not chaotic; an international mix of attendees (you’ll hear French, English, and maybe some Japanese or Italian spoken as you circulate) gives it a worldly buzz. Despite 300+ people sipping Champagne, the event is expertly organized to avoid long lines – after all, this is New York luxury event management at its finest.
To complement the Champagne, gourmet food stations are on hand. In past years, these have included raw bars brimming with oysters and shrimp, stations for artisan cheese and charcuterie, and perhaps a carving station or caviar sampling. You might nibble a truffled gougère or a lobster roll between pours – all included in your ticket, of course. The idea is to keep your palate primed and prevent the wines’ acidity from overwhelming your taste buds.
By afternoon’s end, you’ll likely have tasted upward of 40 Champagnes (if you’re ambitious), discovered new favorites, and gained a 360° appreciation of Champagne’s diversity. The room often grows merrier as 3pm nears – a spontaneous chorus of the French anthem or a big group toast is not unheard of, fueled by collective joy (last year, New York’s crowd famously broke into La Marseillaise to salute the Champenois!). The Grand Tasting encapsulates the festival’s spirit: convivial, educational, and utterly indulgent. For anyone searching online for “Champagne tasting NYC 2025,” this is the event that defines the genre – accept no substitute. Pro tip: wear something chic but comfortable, and consider skipping perfume (so as not to interfere with aromas). This afternoon will be a marathon, not a sprint, and one of the most memorable tastings you’ll ever attend.
Event: New York City Grand Tasting
When & Where: Sat, Oct 25, 2025 · 12:00–3:00 PM · Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers
Format: Walk-around tasting; 100+ Champagnes; gourmet food stations
Ticket Price: $450 + tax
Gala Dinner at Pier Sixty (Sat Oct 25)
Finally, La Fête du Champagne New York reaches its grand finale on Saturday night with the Gala Dinner – a sparkling culmination that combines all the festival’s themes into one over-the-top evening. This event at Pier Sixty is more than a dinner; it’s a Champagne fantasy come to life, where winemakers, chefs, collectors, and Champagne lovers all celebrate side by side. If you attend only one event all weekend, many would say the Gala is the one – it captures the heart of what makes La Fête special. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a lively reception, and the organizers waste no time in signaling that tonight is something extraordinary: upon arrival, guests are greeted with Jeroboams of vintage Chablis from Domaine William Fèvre being poured liberally. That’s right – magnums aren’t big enough for this crowd; we start with three-liter jeroboams of pristine Grand Cru Chablis, a crisp and refreshing counterpoint to all the Champagne (and a nod to a beloved La Fête tradition). With glasses of cold Chablis in hand, guests mingle and admire each other’s gala attire (expect a sea of chic cocktail dresses, dapper tuxedos, and perhaps the occasional sequined jacket or Champagne-themed cufflinks!). Live music will set an elegant mood as anticipation builds for what’s to come.
When it’s time for dinner, the curtains reveal a beautifully set dining room – banquet tables adorned with glittering crystal, flickering candlelight, and an impressive array of glassware ready for the numerous wines to be poured. The culinary lineup is nothing short of all-star: Chef Daniel Boulud, Chef Arnaud Lallement (who you may recall from the Comtes dinner), Chef Emma Bengtsson of Aquavit (two Michelin stars for her sublime Scandinavian-inspired cuisine), and Chef Wonsuk Jeong of Jungsik (three Michelin stars for his innovative Korean fare) are all collaborating on tonight’s multi-course feast. That’s four chefs with a combined galaxy of Michelin stars, crafting dishes in harmony – a testament to New York’s status as a global dining capital. One course might be Boulud’s luxurious French creation, another Lallement’s refined take on a Champenois ingredient, followed by Bengtsson’s famed seafood finesse or Jeong’s artful dish that bridges East and West. The result will be a luxurious Champagne-friendly menu that unfolds with increasing decadence.
Wine flows freely and extravagantly. Not only are special Champagnes provided by all the attending producers (imagine bottles of prestige cuvées making the rounds, courtesy of the houses), but in a beloved La Fête tradition, guests are encouraged to bring bottles from their own cellars to share. This creates an atmosphere unlike any other gala – one of communal generosity and discovery. You might find yourself tasting a rare 1960s vintage someone at your table graciously opened, or clinking glasses with a winemaker who walked over to pour you a splash of their personal favorite bottling. The boundaries between “host” and “guest” blur; everyone becomes part of one big Champagne family for the night. Don’t be surprised if impromptu toasts break out across the room, or if you suddenly hear cheers and laughter as a jeroboam of Champagne is sabered at one end of the hall. By dessert, the energy is positively ebullient – this is a room of several hundred people all absolutely in their element, and it shows.
There are often a few fun traditions and surprises. In the past, co-founders Daniel Johnnes and Peter Liem have been hoisted on shoulders for a celebratory spin around the room, and there’s frequently a group singalong or at least a rousing “Cheers!” that unites everyone. The Gala Dinner encapsulates why La Fête du Champagne is so special: it breaks down barriers. For one night, collectors, sommeliers, winemakers, and foodies all revel together, passing bottles across the table to new friends and reveling in the shared passion. Amid the clinking of hundreds of Champagne glasses, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe. Be sure to take a mental snapshot of the scene – the champagne-soaked celebration with gold bubbles dancing in crystal under the NYC lights – because it’s truly a sight to behold.
As the night winds down (reluctantly) and attendees depart with hearts and palates full, one thing is clear: the Champagne-filled Gala is an only-at-La-Fête experience, the kind of joyous gathering that toasts not just the wines of Champagne, but the camaraderie and joie de vivre they inspire. It’s the perfect finale for this Champagne weekend, leaving everyone floating on a cloud of bubbles. And while the Gala marks the festival’s end, in many ways it’s also a grand beginning – of new friendships, deeper appreciation for Champagne, and memories that will surely be recounted at many dinner parties to come.
Event: Gala Dinner
When & Where: Sat, Oct 25, 2025 · 6:30 PM reception (dinner to follow) · Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers
Chefs: Daniel Boulud · Arnaud Lallement · Emma Bengtsson · Wonsuk Jeong
Ticket Price: $1,200 + tax (Cocktail / Champagne-chic attire)
A Final Toast – Secure Your Tickets for an Unforgettable Champagne Weekend
La Fête du Champagne New York City 2025 promises to be New York’s ultimate Champagne extravaganza – a cosmopolitan blend of luxury, education, and pure celebration. Never before has the Big Apple hosted such a constellation of Champagne luminaries, from Grande Marque icons to cutting-edge growers, all pouring their finest bottles for an intimate crowd. For Champagne enthusiasts, this is the kind of event that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else – a long weekend where you’re tasting, dining, and toasting among the very people who make the wines. It’s an immersion into the Champagne lifestyle, New York-style: grand, sophisticated, and inclusive all at once.
Tickets are on sale now, and with buzz already building, many events will sell out quickly (indeed, some like the Comtes Dinner are already waitlist-only). If you’re serious about attending, don’t delay – secure your spot. As an En Primeur Club reader, use ENPRIMEURCLUB10 for 10% off individual NYC event tickets. Or opt for over 22% off with the NYC 3-Event Package – Apéro, Grand Tasting & Gala Dinner – for $1,550 + tax using code ENPRIMEURCLUB (limited availability)
Mark your calendars for October 22–25 and get your tickets before they’re gone. We’ll see you under the sparkling lights of Manhattan, glass in hand — que la fête commence! 🥂
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