Five of Champagne’s finest producers will be joining together from October 28 to 30 for a sophisticated celebration of the iconic sparkling wine at The Boca Raton, the newly reimagined private club and luxury resort. La Fête du Champagne, open exclusively to resort guests and club members, will be hosted by Daniel Johnnes, the James Beard Award-winning sommelier and wine director for Chef Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group.
La Fête du Champagne is a celebration of the wines of Champagne, founded by Johnnes and Champagne expert Peter Liem. It is one of the few Champagne events in the world to bring together both large historic houses – such as Krug, Dom Pérignon, and Louis Roederer – and small family-owned grower estates like Pierre Péters, Chartogne-Taillet, and Bérêche & Fils. Editions of La Fête du Champagne have been held in New York and London.
The event at The Boca Raton marks La Fête du Champagne’s Florida debut. The Boca Raton originally opened in 1926 as The Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn. Today it is home to five hotels spread across 200 waterfront acres. Resort amenities include a half-mile private beach, an award-winning spa, 18-hole golf course, full-service marina, tennis courts and pickleball courts, retail boutiques, seven swimming pools, and state-of-the-art fitness clubs and wellness collaborations.
Once the first bottle is sabered, the La Fête du Champagne weekend will kick off with convivial tastings, informative conversations with Champagne’s finest producers, and a bespoke Champagne dinner with exquisite food and wine pairings. Participating producers include Champagne Delamotte, Champagne Geoffroy, Champagne Henriot, Champagne Pierre Péters, and Champagne Salon.
Program highlights
Friday, October 28
Welcome Champagne Tasting
Kick off the weekend with tasting top cuvées from multiple Champagne producers.
Saturday, October 29
Champagne Geoffroy Masterclass
Johnnes will lead a discussion with winemaker Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy for an illuminating tour of his family’s history, vineyards, and wines at this educational and engaging seminar.
Champagne Henriot Lunch
At the new waterfront trattoria Principessa Ristorante, cellar master Alice Tétienne will present seven of Henriot’s finest wines, many from rare large formats, and the newest limited release of the house, L’Inattendue (The Unexpected).
Champagne Pierre Péters Masterclass
This tasting and seminar offers a unique moment to sit down with winemaker Rodolphe Péters, one of the great personalities in Champagne. It will be held at the lakeside Yacht Club, and moderated by Daniel Johnnes, covering the particularities of the Côte des Blancs subregion of Champagne and Rodolphe’s philosophy of single-vineyard special cuvées.
Champagne Salon and Champagne Delamotte Dinner
This dinner will take place in the tranquil Spa Palmera Garden, and highlight Le Mesnil Chardonnay at some of its most pure and dazzling heights, including three vintages of the highly collectible Salon.
Sunday, October 30
Champagne: A Sommelier’s Perspective Masterclass
With sommeliers Daniel Johnnes, Raj Vaidya, and The Boca Raton’s Director of Wine Cassandra Felix.
The Déjeuner Champenois, a Festive Champagne Lunch
Each participating Champagne producer will present three different wines at this farewell luncheon at Cloister, the resort’s iconic storied hotel.
The Boca Raton has introduced an exclusive offer for festival attendees. Reserve a stay at Cloister for $499 per night, arriving October 23-31, to receive a one-category room upgrade based on availability and guaranteed late checkout at 4 p.m. American Express Platinum Card® and Centurion® Card Members also enjoy daily breakfast for two at Sadelle’s, a celebrated brunch institution.
For the full weekend itinerary and reservations, please visit www.thebocaraton.com/experiences.