Fête des Vendanges à l'Ancienne

The great grape harvest festival of the Massif de Saint-Thierry

Since 1991, the Association viticole du massif de Saint-Thierry has organized the Fête des Vendanges à l'Ancienne every two years, a festive and friendly event celebrating the northernmost terroir of the Champagne appellation. Moving among the fifteen villages of the Massif de Saint-Thierry, this popular and free festival takes over the decorated streets and courtyards of the host village to offer a weekend of discoveries, tastings, and winegrowing traditions.

Old-fashioned grape harvests and winegrowing know-how

The heart of the festival lies in the demonstrations of old-fashioned grape harvests: transport of grapes and traditional pressing, as they were practiced in the Champagne vineyards in the past. Visitors can observe these ancestral gestures and understand the journey of the grape from the vine to the press. Cooperage and tasting workshops allow for a deeper understanding of champagne and the work of independent winegrowers in the Massif.

A village celebrating

For two days, the host village transforms into a festive place where 50 winegrowers offering their Massif champagnes and 80 exhibitors—artisans, artists, local producers—mingle. Champagne bars, food stalls set up in barns and under marquees, concerts and choirs, exhibitions of vintage cars and tractors, and a children's area with an educational farm liven up the weekend in a warm and family-friendly atmosphere.

The winegrowers' parade

Sunday morning is a highlight with the traditional winegrowers' parade starting at 10 am, bringing together representatives from the fifteen communes of the Massif with their banners and regional costumes. A mass is celebrated at 10:30 am, followed by the distribution of grape juice to participants. This colorful procession symbolizes the unity and pride of the winegrowers of the Massif de Saint-Thierry.

An exceptional terroir

The Massif de Saint-Thierry, located just 8 kilometers north of Reims, is the northernmost terroir of the Champagne appellation. Its picturesque villages, hillside landscapes, and rich historical heritage make it a charming and authentic territory, of which the Fête des Vendanges à l'Ancienne is a faithful reflection: welcoming and attractive, rural, rich in local traditions and heritage, respectful of its natural environment.