Explore Cognac's Secrets: Private Distillery Tour & Tasting from Bordeaux

Today’s day tour destination is the town of Cognac, which lies to the northeast of Bordeaux region and lends its name to the famous brandy that has been produced in the surrounding wine region for the last 300 years.

Meet your English speaking driver/guide who is a local expert in Cognac

In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your Hotel or Accommodation in Bordeaux. Meet your English speaking driver / guide who is an expert on Cognac. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned vehicle and begin to make your way to the Cognac. 

Travel in a spacious premium minivan 

Your private Bordeaux Day Trip to Cognac will take place in one of our very spacious premium Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons normally but on this occasion, the vehicle will only be for you. This allows you to choose the seat that you think best in terms of social distancing while still enjoying the information passed on by your guide. 

All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system that allows you to hear the commentary of your driver/guide no matter where you are seated. Also, there is free Wi-Fi access in all vehicles. Bottled water is also available in all our vehicles.

Depart for a full day private tour to Cognac

Begin to make your way to the Cognac wine region. Your excursion will include a visit and tasting at two different Cognac distilleries: one with a name that is known all over the world like Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin or Camus, and one that is less known and is still family owned and operated.

The two visits will allow you to visit the installations and participate in a Cognac tasting to compare the differences between large and small-scale productions of Cognac. The visits also cover topics such as the grape varieties used, the fermentation and distillation methods, as well as the aging and blending process. After each visit, you will have the chance to taste several different kinds of brandy produced by the House of Cognac.

During the day, enjoy some free time for personal discovery and lunch in the historical town of Cognac. If you wish, we can organise a special lunch experience in one of the many Cognac Houses so as to enhance your experience. All tasting & dining options will be available during the booking process.

More information about Cognac

The region authorized to produce cognac is divided into six zones, including five crus. The six zones are: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and finally Bois Ordinaire. A blend of Grande and Petite Champagne Cognacs, with at least half coming from Grande Champagne, is known as Fine Champagne.

The local wine is very dry, acidic, and thin, “virtually undrinkable”, but excellent for distillation and aging. It can be made only from a strict list of grape varieties. If it is to carry the name of one of the crus then it must be at least 90% Ugni Blanc (known in Italy as Trebbiano), Folle Blanche and Colombard, although 10% of the grapes used can be Folignan, Jurançon blanc, Meslier St-François (also called Blanc Ramé), Sélect, Montils or Sémillon.