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Best Cognac, France tours & tastings

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Best Wineries & Distilleries to Visit in Cognac

Domaine Pasquet - Winalist
The Organic - Discovery and tasting
Organic
Bellevigne 13 reviews 4.8

Domaine Pasquet

The Pasquet cognac house, certified organic, finds the perfect balance between the warmth of fami...

From 18,00 €

Cognac Frapin - Winalist
Discovery tour
VIP tour
Know-how circuit
Segonzac 3 reviews 4.7

Cognac Frapin

Taking craftsmanship to the highest levels of excellence, Frapin’s style embodies the very esse...

From 15,00 €

Cognac Raby - Winalist
On the trails of Grande Champagne
Instant booking Sustainable
Segonzac 4 reviews 4.8

Cognac Raby

Located on the limestone lands of Grande Champagne, the exploitation of Logis de La Brée is at t...

Free

Cognac Braastad - Winalist
Discovery tour
Privilege visit
Cognac from the vine to the glass
Instant booking Sustainable
Mainxe-gondeville 2 reviews 5.0

Cognac Braastad

Ideally located in Jarnac on the banks of the Charente, the Tiffon establishments invite you to d...

From 15,00 €

Cognac Hennessy - Winalist
Paradise Exception
Hennessy Immersive Initiation
Hennessy X.O
Sustainable
Cognac

Cognac Hennessy

From our vines to our historic cellars, discover the know-how and rituals developed by Maison Hen...

From 29,00 €

Domaine Conte Et Filles - Winalist
From A to Z
Instant booking Sustainable
Chillac

Domaine Conte Et Filles

Conte&Filles, a family estate for 5 generations, is today driven by the passion of two sister...

Free

Cognac Martell & Co - Winalist
Martell Savoir-Faire
Martell Heritage
Martell Discovery
Cognac

Cognac Martell & Co

The oldest of the great cognac Houses opens the doors of its historic site to you and invites you...

From 25,00 €

Camus Cognac - Winalist
Intense Classic
Signature Borders
Fine Island
Master Blender
Cognac 1 reviews 5.0

Camus Cognac

"Five generations have each succeeded his predecessors to establish the reputation of Camus,...

From 25,00 €

XO Madame - Winalist
Full day in 2CV to discover Cognac
The Cognac vineyard on horseback
2CV ride with picnic in the vineyards
The Cognac vineyard in a 2CV
Cognac

XO Madame

XO madame, creator of wine tourism experiences, specializes in the Cognac vineyard. We offer aut...

From 170,00 €

Bourgoin Cognac - Winalist
Tasting of the Bourgoin range
The secrets of cognac
Visit/Tasting/Picnic in the vineyards
Retro Safari in the vineyard
Discovery of the vineyard in a vintage carriage
Organic
Saint-saturnin

Bourgoin Cognac

BOURGOIN COGNAC is a handcrafted vigneron cognac. The family estate is located in the village of ...

From 30,00 €

Cognac Tasting Tour  - Winalist
Guided E-bike ride and distillery visit
master class
The Cognac vineyard and its distilleries
Saint-preuil

Cognac Tasting Tour

Cognac Tasting Tour, labeled "Vineyards and Discoveries" by the French Ministry of Tour...

From 54,00 €

Trot'z Ride - Winalist
The Gabarres river route
Instant booking
Mainxe-gondeville

Trot'z Ride

Rental of all-terrain electric scooters. For romantic rides, with family or friends, discover a f...

From 25,00 €

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The best guided tours in Cognac

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The area of Cognac, France is known around the globe for its vineyards, wineries, and distilleries. Vineyards in Cognac dot hillsides throughout the region, and many offer world-class tours of their facilities. Touring a Cognac vineyard, tasting wine in a Cognac winery, or even visiting a chateau through an experience booked through Winalist’s platform makes Cognac an unforgettable experience. 


Many of our partners’ tours offer unique ways to learn about the history of French winemaking in one of the most popular regions in France. Learn more below about Cognac wineries and distilleries, how to travel to Cognac, and why Cognac is such a memorable experience for those traveling to France.


What is Cognac wine?


Cognac is a type of brandy that is produced in the Charente region of France. This type of wine is made from white grapes grown in the Cognac region of France and aged in oak barrels for at least 2 years and up to 100 years.


Cognac gets its distinct flavor from its region's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean as well as its uniquely maritime climate. Cognac wine is created using three steps: fermentation, distillation, and aging (a process known as maturation).


Where is Cognac located in France?


Cognac is located in the Charente wine region of France. The Atlantic Ocean borders it on the west side. The region is also bordered by the Poitou region to the south and stretches between two rivers: La Charente and La Gironde. With a population of around 400,000 people, this area boasts a history and culture that is deeply rooted in winemaking traditions.


About Cognac Wine Tasting


Cognac wine tours are a great way to discover the best vineyards in this unique region of France. Winalist offers a variety of different itineraries, depending on your preferences. If you want to taste cognac and enjoy beautiful scenery, we recommend one of our partners’ wine and city tours that include tastings at local vineyards. If you’re more interested in tasting wines from specific winemakers and learning about their methods, you can choose one of our private tours with an expert sommelier who will guide you through cellars and explain how local winemakers distill products that are so unique.


On any of these tours, you may see rolling hills, roman architecture, and quaint cities. You can also expand your knowledge with an excursion around town in any one of Cognac’s local cities; Winalist has small group walking tours on its platform that take visitors through downtown Cognac while explaining its history and architecture before visiting places where they can sample fine wines from top producers like Hennessy or Courvoisier (or even try cognac liqueurs made by local distillers).


While tasting wine in Cognac, be sure to try Pineau des Charentes, an aperitif made from grapes that must mixed with eau-de-vie before being aged in oak barrels.


How to get to the Cognac Region of France


  • From Paris: You can take a train from Paris to Bordeaux. The trip takes around 2 hours one way. From Bordeaux, you can take a taxi or rent a car to get to Cognac.

  • From London: There are direct flights between London Heathrow and Bordeaux airport, which is just 40 km away from Cognac. Once in Bordeaux, it's an easy drive south to Cognac by car or taxi if necessary.

  • From Marseille: There are direct flights between Marseille Provence Airport in southern France and Bordeaux Airport almost daily. These flights take about 50 minutes each way, with easy connections through Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport before arriving at Bordeaux Airport.


If you’re still wondering how it might be best to get to the Provence region of France, reach out to Winalist or your chosen wine experience. 


The Wine Routes in Cognac


There are two primary wine routes in Cognac. The first course, “Le Cognac et la vigne” introduces you to the culture of wine in Cognac. Leaving from Saintes, it passes through Saint-Jean d'Angely, Burie, Cognac and Aigre. Still departing from Saintes, the second wine route takes you to Angoulême via Jarnac and Châteauneuf-sur-Charente along the Charente.  


Charente Maritime, Angoulême, Saintes, and the city of Cognac are among the essential metropolitan visits in the region. Here, you’ll discover various cognac houses and have the chance to pick up tips from the wine-growing know-how of these concentrated regions. Throughout the year, the grandest houses in Cognac welcome you for various visits and tastings (Martell, Henessy, etc.). Crossing the many villages with Romanesque architecture on your wine route, you will find on your way many more confidential winegrowers, mainly producing white wine from Ugni Blanc and Colombard grape varieties. 


History of Winemaking Cognac, France


Winemaking in Cognac started when the Dutch arrived in France. These groups bought plenty of wine, but it often wouldn’t remain drinkable on voyages back home. So, the Dutch began distilling wine in this region in the 16th century. In 1556, King Henry II founded the city of Cognac and ordered vineyards to be planted in the area. The first planting of vines occurred in 1589 when local farmers were encouraged to grow grapes to make brandy. In the 18th century, the first Cognac Houses were officially established.

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Appellations in Cognac

Cognac

What to know before visiting Best Cognac distilleries

How do I book a wine weekend in Cognac?

With Winalist, wine tourism in Cognac is just a few clicks away. Thanks to our unique search platform, you can discover the vineyards, wineries, and castles that are the best for you and those you’ll be experiencing wine tastings and tours with. Find your next wine-related destination or experience by entering your search criteria into our search tool at the top of the page. Book your experience at the date and time of your choice. Once your activity has been booked, you will receive a confirmation and a reminder from Winalist. 

When is the best time to visit Cognac for wine tasting?

The best time to visit Cognac is from April to June, when the weather is mild and temperatures hover between 15 and 25 degrees celsius (59 and 77 degrees fahrenheit). During this time, you can also  experience all the local attractions like wine tasting and fine dining in Cognac's restaurants. If you are planning a trip during summer, make sure that you have enough time to explore the area because most of them are closed during July and August. It is best to stay for at least two days so that you can also explore other areas near Cognac, such as Bordeaux or Paris.

What to do in a day in Cognac?

In the morning, you could attend a guided tour of the city of Cognac which is steeped in history, followed by a good lunch with local wine. Then, you may wish to learn the history of regional wines at the Cognac Arts Museum. Finally, attending a guided tour of the castle which gave birth to François 1er will immerse you in the eras of the great Kings of France.

This is just one example of the type of experiences Winalist can introduce you to. Be sure to use our search tool at the top of this page to discover unique experiences and Cognac day itineraries.

What types of wines do wineries in Cognac produce?

The Cognac region of France is famous for its traditional “burnt wine”, or brandy, which is a particular type of double-distilled wine. This wine type is made from distilled grape juice that has been fermented into wine. The grapes used to make cognac are Ugni Blanc and Folle noire grapes—they are harvested in the fall and then fermented in barrels for several months before being distilled twice.


The final product of Cognac is aged between four and 100 years, depending on the style you like (or your budget). How many appellations are in the Cognac region of france?

Cognac has six different wine-growing regions, including:

  • Grande Champagne.
  • Petite Champagne.
  • Borderies.
  • Fins Bois.
  • Bons Bois.
  • Bois Ordinaires.
What is a cognac house?

A Cognac house is a business that distills and matures Cognac wine. The four most famous cognac houses are Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Martell, and Courvoisier. 

What is a Cognac AOC classification?

AOC classification is a legal guarantee of origin of a particular wine, which is important to look out for when choosing your cognacs. When it comes to selecting the best cognac, it is important to consider the AOC classification. This is the highest level of classification for a winemaking business, and guarantees that your wine is made with grapes grown in a particular region and has been aged in oak barrels for at least two years.


There are tiers in AOC classification based on how long a Cognac house ages their wine.

Which wineries in the Best Cognac distilleries region are open today?
To discover wineries, cellars and chateaux that are open today in Best Cognac distilleries, click here.
Can I visit a winery as a group in Best Cognac distilleries?
Here are the wine estates in Best Cognac distilleries that can accommodate groups of 8 people or more: View wine tours and tastings in Cognac.
What are the best wineries for families in Best Cognac distilleries?
The wine estates that offer the best tours and tastings for families are: View all wineries in Cognac.

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