Private 8-Hour Tour
Cognac distillery & Bordeaux winery – Day-trip
Craft your own Bordeaux wine and uncover the secrets of Cognac in a refined day tour through iconic Cognac and Bordeaux vineyards
The vineyard of Cognac and its distilleries – Day-trip
The Cognac industry relies on a well-established structure: winegrower-distillers produce the *eaux-de-vie* (spirits), while the trading houses age them, for periods ranging from four to over fifty years, before blending them.
Although four houses (Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Martell, and Courvoisier) account for 85% of global Cognac sales, the process begins with the winegrower-distiller. This day-long experience invites you to trace the supply chain back to its source: two producers will explain their work in the vineyards and their distillation methods. You will also discover the distinct production philosophies found within the same terroir, as well as the relationships connecting these artisans to the major houses they supply.
As you journey through rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards, you will step off the beaten path to immerse yourself in the soul of the Cognac region during an eight-hour guided tour.
Cognac ceases to be merely a brand and reveals itself as a genuine artisanal craft.
Excursion Details
Morning – Distillation, an Artisanal Excellence
The day begins with the visit to the first small, family-run distillery. Far from the crowds, this producer welcome you into his world of copper stills, aging cellars, and age-old traditions.
You’ll learn how cognac is crafted with patience and precision, and taste a selection of their finest eaux-de-vie, each sip a reflection of the land and the people behind it.
Lunch time
For lunch, enjoy a meal at a local restaurant where seasonal ingredients and regional recipes come together in simple yet refined dishes. It’s a moment to slow down and savor the flavors of Charente, paired with a warm, authentic atmosphere where locals gather for their lunch break.
Afternoon – Local grape juice as a basis for gastronomy
In the afternoon, the journey takes a surprising turn with a visit to a traditional vinegar maker. Hidden among the vines, this artisan transforms local grape juice into rich, complex vinegar using natural, time-honored methods. An unexpected and delightful discovery.
You will then visit the second family estate, where, between distillery, cellars and paradise, the owner will present their personal approach to the production of cognac.
Throughout the day, your guide will share stories, insights, and local history, bringing each stop to life.
The highlights of the day-trip
– A full day of immersion, off the beaten path
– Visit to two artisanal distilleries
– Tasting of at least six unique cognacs
– Lunch at a local restaurant patronized by locals
– Trip through the cognac vineyards away from the city
Duration
8 hours
Starting points
Online booking
Cognac
On request
Angoulême, Jarnac, Jonzac, Saintes
Number of participants
From 2 to 7 people
The day-trip includes
- Private trip with a local driver-guide
- Visit to 2 distilleries
- Tasting of 6 cognacs
- Visit to a craft vinegar factory
- Stops overlooking magnificent landscapes
The day-trip does not include
- Transport to the starting point
- Personal insurance
- Lunch
- Souvenirs
- Gratuities
- Services not listed in the description
Price
From €560 for two people
(Excursion with a set itinerary departing from the town of Cognac)
Bookings
This excursion can be booked online with immediate confirmation.
When booking, please specify your departure city. To guarantee an unforgettable experience, the places visited will be confirmed at the time of departure, once the venues have been contacted and the availability of the professionals who will welcome you has been confirmed.
If you would like to customize the excursion to fully meet your wishes or constraints, for example, a different arrival point than the departure point, a visit to a winery producing red and white wines, a visit to a Pineau des Charentes specialist, a visit to a distillery producing whisky, gin, or liqueurs, or participation in a blending or tasting workshop, please do not hesitate to contact us for a personalized offer.
Practical arrangements
Select the starting point
Upon request, you can choose your departure point from among the towns of Angoulême, Jarnac, Jonzac, or Saintes. The departure time depends on the departure town: 9:00 or 9:30.
In all cases, please contact us to confirm the schedule, access to your departure point, and your return point.
If you are staying in Paris, a same-day round trip is possible, or you can stay in Cognac to visit a cognac house the day after the excursion.
Early in the morning, take a TGV from Paris-Montparnasse to Angoulême, a town located 2 hours and 15 minutes from Paris. We will pick you up at the train station around 10:30.
In the evening, we can drop you off:
– at the Angoulême TGV station for your return to Paris
– at a hotel in the Charente region (Cognac, Angoulême, La Rochelle)
– at a hotel in Bordeaux.
Learn more about the world of cognac
Cognac houses are merchants who purchase eaux-de-vie distilled by winegrowers and distillers.
These houses age the eaux-de-vie for anywhere from 3 to over 50 years, then blend them to create cognacs of varying ages and aromas.
There are four main houses: Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Martell, and Courvoisier, which together account for 85% of global cognac sales.
A dozen smaller merchants represent 13% of sales, and winegrowers and distillers who produce their own cognacs account for 2%.
Immerse yourself in the origins of cognac during a full-day experience, allowing you to discover the remarkable work of the distillers who will explain their production philosophy, the work involved in cultivating the vines, and their relationships with the world of cognac trading.
Offer a gift coupon
Give this full day as a gift voucher: two estates, a Charentais lunch and a succession of tastings, for a retirement, a milestone birthday or an occasion that deserves more than an ordinary present.
More than an object, a whole day of gourmet discoveries to share. This gift voucher speaks to seasoned enthusiasts and curious minds alike, keen to explore the vineyards in depth. Personalised to the recipient’s tastes, it turns a simple gesture into a lasting memory.
Choose your distilleries
Do you have a favorite craft cognac ?
Tell us its name and, if possible, we’ll include its production site in the tour.
You think visiting just one artisanal distillery is enough ?
Let us know. Depending on your tastes, we’ll suggest a visit to a château, an abbey, or an artisan as an alternative, located in the Cognac vineyards, of course.
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