Champagne production, 19th century artwork. Winemakers working in old chalk quarries converted into cellars for champagne storage and production in Reims, France. Many of these chalk quarries date back to Roman times, when grape vines were first planted in the region. By the 19th century, many of the chalk quarries had been converted into these conical cellars where bottles of this sparkling wine ferment during production. Engraving from 'Grands Hommes et Grands Faits de l'Industrie' (Great Men and Great Facts of Industry), published in France circa 1880.