Private Cognac Distillery Tour and Tasting Day from Bordeaux
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore two renowned Cognac houses
- Enjoy lunch in the historic city of Cognac (at own expense)
- Learn about the Cognac-making process
- Sample exclusive Cognac varieties
- Relax with transport included from Bordeaux
Full description
This Private Cognac Distillery Tour and Tasting Day from Bordeaux offers an exclusive experience where you'll delve into the craftsmanship behind this iconic spirit. Visit two acclaimed Cognac houses while enjoying a gourmet lunch in the historic city of Cognac.
With your expert guide, explore the distillation process and savor unique expressions of Cognac. This personalized tour ensures attentive service and insights tailored to your interests, setting it apart from standard experiences. You’ll travel comfortably in a modern minivan, with hotel pickup included for your convenience.
Private Full-Day Cognac Tour from Bordeaux: Distillery Visits and Tastings
Discover the world-famous Cognac wine region on a private full-day tour from Bordeaux featuring visits to two prestigious Cognac distilleries—one internationally renowned house like Hennessy, Martell, or Rémy Martin, and one intimate family-owned estate. Learn about grape varieties, double distillation in copper stills, oak barrel aging, and the art of blending as you explore the six Cognac crus including Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Borderies. Enjoy guided tastings of VS, VSOP, and XO Cognacs, plus a traditional French lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional cuisine and wines.
Explore the Cognac Region and Six Prestigious Crus
The Cognac appellation is divided into six designated zones, each producing distinctive eaux-de-vie based on terroir. The five ranked crus are Grande Champagne (the most prestigious with chalky soils producing the finest, most elegant Cognacs), Petite Champagne, Borderies (the smallest cru known for floral character), Fins Bois, and Bons Bois, plus Bois Ordinaires along the coast. A blend of Grande and Petite Champagne with at least 50% from Grande Champagne earns the designation Fine Champagne.
Cognac production begins with white wine made from Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano), Folle Blanche, and Colombard grapes, which must comprise at least 90% of the blend. The resulting wine is intentionally very dry, acidic, and thin—virtually undrinkable as table wine—but perfect for distillation and aging into the smooth, complex brandy known worldwide as Cognac.
Visit Two Cognac Distilleries: Prestigious House and Family Estate
Your private Cognac tour includes guided visits to two contrasting distilleries. First, explore a world-renowned Cognac house such as Hennessy, Martell, Camus, or Rémy Martin, where you'll tour historic cellars filled with thousands of aging barrels, learn about large-scale production methods, and discover how master blenders create consistent signature styles across VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), and XO (Extra Old) categories. Then visit a small family-owned distillery where traditional craftsmanship and artisanal techniques are preserved across generations.
Compare the differences between industrial and boutique production while learning about double distillation in traditional Charentais copper pot stills, the role of Limousin and Tronçais oak barrels in aging, and the blending process that transforms raw eau-de-vie into refined Cognac. Each visit concludes with expert-led tastings where you'll sample multiple Cognac expressions, learning to identify aromas of dried fruit, vanilla, spice, and oak while understanding age designations and quality levels.
Traditional French Lunch and Private Expert Guide
Between distillery visits, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (at own expense) where you'll savor regional Charentais cuisine paired with wines from the Cognac area. Your private expert guide provides personalized attention throughout the day, explaining Cognac history, production regulations, and answering questions about this legendary French spirit. Travel in comfortable air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup from Bordeaux included.
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pick up from Bordeaux or surrounding area.
- Enjoy live commentaries from your expert guide.
- Pre-booked visits to 2 Cognac Houses.
- Travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans.
- Tasting fees at the Cognac Houses
- Meals and drinks (lunch)
- Personal travel insurance, expenses.
- Gratuities for the Guide.
Itinerary
Bordeaux departure
Meet your guide and drive to Cognac
Distillery
Morning visit & tasting in a distillery of Cognac
Meeting point
Pick up at hotel in Bordeaux or surrounding area.
Important information
Know before you book
- Cognac is approximately 2 hours from Bordeaux each way
- Minimum 2 adult passengers required for tour to operate
- Visits two Cognac distilleries: one major house, one family estate
- All distillery tours and Cognac tastings included in tour price
- Tour conducted in English; other languages available on request
Know before you go
- Tour duration approximately 09 hours; returns around 6:00 PM
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for distillery tours and cellars
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years old in France
- Camera allowed at most distilleries; some areas may restrict photos
- Cognac tastings typically include 3-5 different expressions per house
Cancellation policy
For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: Up to 48 hours prior to departure: no cancellation fees except the booking fees. 48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund. No show - no refund.
Reviews
Great experience, guide was super knowledgeable and friendly. Victor brought us around the different sites and showed us so many cool sites
Alex was the most experienced, knowledgeable, and chilled tour guide of all the 5 tour guides we experienced. We learned a lot from him about the culture, history, and geology of the region. He also provided great context to understand the regions' wines. This tour to Cassis and the calanques was beautiful and would get a 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that this expensive tour did not include lunch. The wine tasting was good but I had better in Bordeaux and it included lunch.
Matt was an awesome tour guide. His passion for D-day made the experience that much better. He was very knowledgeable. Even my children were glued to his every word. Great experience!
Additional information
This private Cognac tour from Bordeaux is ideal for spirits enthusiasts and brandy lovers seeking to understand France's most prestigious spirit beyond wine. It suits travelers interested in distillation processes, barrel aging, and blending techniques, as well as those who appreciate comparing artisanal family production with internationally recognized luxury brands like Hennessy or Martell.
Perfect for visitors wanting diversity beyond Bordeaux wine tours, couples celebrating special occasions with exclusive Cognac experiences, and connoisseurs building their spirits knowledge. The tour appeals to anyone fascinated by French gastronomy and craft traditions, history buffs interested in centuries-old distilling heritage, and travelers comfortable with extended driving time (4 hours total) who value exploring a different region.
In regards to the protection of the environment, we will no longer provide plastic bottles of water during our tours. You are kindly advised to bring your own. Water and refills are available at the wineries, museums and attractions visited.
Please note: In France, snacks are usually not provided during wine tastings to preserve the purity of the wine's flavor. We recommend having a good breakfast or lunch beforehand.