Cognac Lover's Escape: Private Shore Excursion & Distillery Tour

Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from Bordeaux or Bassens Port of Call and visit the most famous brandy producing region of France - Cognac

Pick up at your Cruise Ship in Bordeaux

Departing from Bordeaux Cruise Port, this Atlantic Coast full day private shore excursion will take you to the Cognac brandy producing region. First, we will come and pick you up at your cruise ship in Bordeaux or Bassens Cruise Port.

Meet your local guide driver

Meet your English speaking driver guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then, board your air conditioned vehicle and depart for the Cognac vineyards in the Charente region. 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.

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.

Get a Taste of the History of Two Famous Houses of Cognac

Travel to Cognac to discover one of the world’s most famous Brandies. We will pre-book your visits & tastings in 2 famous distilleries such as Otard, Hennessy, Camus, Rémy Martin… Whether a novice or an expert, we will adapt the tours and tastings accordingly. This unique day is conducted by a professional wine guide that will be happy to explain all things Cognac from soils to aromas!

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

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, Martel or Camus, and one that is lesser-known and is still family-owned and operated. The two visits will allow you to compare the differences between large and small-scale productions of Cognac and will cover topics such as the grape varieties used, the fermentation and distillation methods, and the aging and blending process.

After each visit, you will have the chance to taste several different kinds of brandy produced by the distillery. Between visits, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant where you will sample typical cuisine and wine from the region. Since this tour is a private guided tour, we can also organize a walking tour of Cognac, a very pleasant small town.

After the visits and tastings, we will take you back to the port of Bordeaux or Bassens and this will be the end of our services.

More information on Cognac Brandy

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 Bois Ordinaire. A blend of Grande and Petite Champagne Cognacs, with at least half coming from Grande Champagne, is known as Fine Champagne.

The wine is very dry, acidic, and thin, “virtually undrinkable”, but excellent for distillation and aging. It may 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, Monfils or Sémillon.