Cave Thomas, Winemaking cooperative and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hautvillers, France
Cave Thomas is an underground wine cellar in Hautvillers, a small village in the Champagne region of France that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dug into the hillside, it serves as a storage and aging space where the natural cool of the earth keeps the temperature stable year-round.
The wine cellars of Hautvillers were used by monks from the 17th century onward, as they worked to develop local winemaking techniques. Over time, these spaces passed from one generation to the next and became a fixed part of the village's winemaking tradition.
The cave Thomas sits in Hautvillers, the village closely tied to Dom Pierre Pérignon and the early story of Champagne. Visitors can step inside and see barrels resting along the cool stone walls, exactly as they have for generations.
The cellar is located in the village of Hautvillers, which sits on a hillside above the Marne river and is easy to explore on foot. Since it is an active winemaking site, it is worth checking ahead of your visit whether access is open to the public.
Across the Champagne region, there are around 350 small vents set into the ground to keep air moving through the underground cellars. These low-profile openings can be spotted on walks through the vineyards surrounding Hautvillers.
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