Postcards Home: with Emily Darlow

It was 10pm in the French countryside, the sun was still refusing to disappear, and Jacqueline Wigan was sitting beside a château pool with a glass of Champagne in hand.

Around her were people who had been strangers at the beginning of the trip. Now they were swapping stories, laughing and reliving a day spent stepping inside Champagne houses, meeting the families behind them and, naturally, sampling their wares.

“One of my happiest memories is sitting by the château pool at 10 pm, still in daylight, sipping Champagne with newfound friends and reliving the day’s adventures,” Jacqueline said.

“It wasn’t just about the Champagne; it was about the connections, the conversations, and the memories we created together.”

It is a memory that goes some way to explaining why Jacqueline has now travelled on three Champagne tours run by Kyla Kirkpatrick, better known as The Champagne Dame.

Jacqueline loved Champagne before her first trip. What she hadn’t expected was to come home looking at what was inside her glass completely differently.

On one five-day itinerary, the group visited two Champagne houses each day, tasting a range of Champagnes while learning about the history behind the labels and the families who had spent generations creating them.

“The itinerary was far from your typical wine tour,” Jacqueline said.

“We were welcomed with open arms everywhere we went and given access to stories, cellars, and champagnes that most visitors never experience.”

There were private cellar visits, exclusive tasting rooms, rare vintage tastings and black-tie dinners, but it wasn’t necessarily the grandeur that stayed with Jacqueline.

One of the first things she noticed was what happened when Kirkpatrick walked through the doors of the Champagne houses they visited.

“The moment the families saw Kyla, there was an immediate warmth and genuine affection that was impossible to miss,” she said.

“It was clear these connections had been built over many years and were founded on mutual respect and friendship.”

For Jacqueline, it changed the dynamic of the visits. Instead of simply arriving, tasting and moving on, the group spent time with winemakers and family members who shared the stories behind their vineyards and Champagne.

“Because of that, we were never treated as tourists,” she said.

“Instead, we were welcomed as though we were family coming to visit. The hospitality was heartfelt, the stories were shared generously, and every visit felt personal.”

With so many Champagne houses visited over her three trips, asking Jacqueline to nominate the best is futile.

“Asking me to choose a favourite Champagne house would be like asking me to choose a favourite child,” she said.

Each offered something different, but some of the biggest revelations came away from the tasting rooms.

Walking through vineyards and speaking with the families who farm them gave Jacqueline a new appreciation of just how vulnerable each vintage can be to the whims of nature.

She learnt how terroir and climate influence what eventually ends up in the bottle and how a late frost, hailstorm, excessive rain or unusually warm season can affect grapes that have been tended for an entire year.

“I came to understand just how much of their hearts are invested in every harvest,” she said.

“Despite generations of knowledge and experience, they remain vulnerable to nature’s unpredictability.”

Listening to the families talk about their vineyards brought home just how much was riding on each growing season.

“You could feel the passion, pride, and occasional anxiety that come with placing so much in the hands of Mother Nature,” Jacqueline said.

“It made me appreciate that Champagne is far more than a luxury product.”

Behind each bottle, she came to see, was a family whose livelihood and legacy were closely tied to the land.

It also opened Jacqueline’s eyes to producers she might previously have overlooked.

While the famous Champagne houses have undeniable appeal, some of the bottles she remembers most came from smaller family-run growers she discovered on the tours.

“Some of the most memorable Champagnes I tasted came from these smaller family-run producers, whose dedication, innovation, and commitment to quality deserve far greater recognition,” she said.

“Thanks to Kyla, I discovered a side of Champagne that many people never get to see, and I now actively seek out and support these remarkable producers whenever I can.”

It is perhaps the biggest difference between Jacqueline before and after her travels.

“Before the trip, I loved drinking Champagne,” she said.

“Now, I understand the stories, the families, the vineyards, and the generations of work behind every bottle.”

Even opening a bottle at home can take her straight back to France.

“Every glass I enjoy now comes with a memory. I can picture the vineyards, the cellars, the families who welcomed us into their world, and the passion they pour into their craft.”

The people on the other side of the tasting table weren’t the only ones to make an impression.

Jacqueline said the group itself became an important part of the experience. She found herself travelling with people from different backgrounds who shared an enthusiasm for Champagne, travel and learning.

Over meals, tastings and evenings back at the château, stories were exchanged and friendships formed.

“We shared stories, experiences, and many laughs, discovering how much we had in common despite coming from different backgrounds,” she said.

“The friendships formed throughout the journey became just as special as the Champagne itself, and to this day, we remain in touch.”

It is something Jacqueline believes makes this style of travel particularly appealing to those who might be considering heading overseas on their own.

She has travelled on Kirkpatrick’s tours with friends and has also travelled solo, and says she has loved both.

“The friendships formed along the journey, the incredible hospitality, and the shared passion for Champagne mean you’ll never feel alone,” she said.

“Whether you’re travelling with a companion or venturing out on your own, you’ll be welcomed into a wonderful community of like-minded people.”

It helps that Jacqueline describes travelling with The Champagne Dame as a “relaxed wander in very capable hands”.

“Kyla took care of every detail, allowing us to simply enjoy the journey, discover remarkable Champagnes, and immerse ourselves in the people, places, and stories that make the region so special,” she said.

Three tours later, there is apparently still plenty left to discover.

Each trip has introduced Jacqueline to different houses and winemakers, and she says she has never been disappointed, whether visiting a prestigious producer with centuries of history or a small grower making Champagne from their own vineyards.

Her advice to Starts at 60 readers considering a similar trip is simple.

“Don’t hesitate. Find a tour that suits your schedule and simply go,” she said.

“It has been one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of my life.”

Jacqueline is already hoping to join The Champagne Dame on another European trip. France will always have her heart and she would love to return to Lyon and Nice, although Greece and Italy are also calling.

Wherever she ends up, her travels through Champagne have given her something more enduring than a list of favourite bottles.

“Looking back on my three tours, I can honestly say that every tour has left me with unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the people and places I have been privileged to experience,” she said.