Luxury Cognac and Bordeaux wine tours

At a glance

Trip Summary

On day two, after a leisurely breakfast, you will be met at your hotel by your expert guide, who will accompany you on a full-day, private transported wine tour into the Bordeaux vineyards. You can choose between the internationally famed left-bank Médoc, or the UNESCO classified appellation of Saint-Emilion and its satellite appellation, Pomerol. If you choose to visit the Médoc, you will visit three Châteaux, learning particularly about the Cabernet Sauvignon grape and gaining an insight into what makes those big, bold reds so renowned. If you choose to visit Saint-Emilion, you will discover the singularities of the softer wines, predominantly made from the Merlot grape. On this tour you will also visit three Châteaux. During the day, you will learn all about the fascinating wine-making process from press to bottle, and each tour will conclude with a tasting of the Château’s wine. You will have free time for lunch on the tour, and your guide will be more than happy to make recommendations depending on how hungry you are feeling on the day.

In the evening, dine in style at the opulent dining room of the InterContinental’s double Michelin-starred restaurant. Fronted by none other than world-famous celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, you’ll enjoy a splendid five-course tasting menu, paired expertly with wines, and also served with water and coffee.

Following breakfast on day three, check out of the hotel. You will be met at your hotel by your private driver, who will accompany you on the drive to Cognac. The journey time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Upon arrival in Cognac, check into your preferred room grade at the 5* Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa. Following this, you will walk five minutes over the road to the renowned Rémy Martin, which was founded back in 1724. Here, you will be welcomed as the guests at their table d’hôtes for a refined lunch inspired by the seasonal produce, as well as a tour of the historical estate and tasting of some of their cognacs.

For dinner tonight, you will enjoy a three-course meal with paired wines at Chais Monnet’s Michelin-starred restaurant, which is located in an impressive room lined with old ageing barrels.

On the morning of day four, make your way to the prestigious Château de Cognac. This is a leisurely 20-minute walk along the river, although we are happy to arrange a transfer for you at additional cost if you prefer. You’ll be welcomed as the VIP guests of Château de Cognac, which is home to the Baron Otard cognac range. Your private guided tour will see you exploring the vestiges of the past, from the Middle Ages to the present day, with tastings in the cellars (cognacs extracted before your very eyes!). You will visit parts of the castle seldom visited by the public. To conclude such an enlightening visit, delight in an intimate three-course lunch with cognac served in the King’s private apartments, where King François I was born.

After lunch, you will walk five minutes to the world-renowned Maison Hennessy. Here, you will be transported across the river by boat, ready to embark on an exclusive, private experience in celebration of some of Hennessy’s rarest cognacs. As part of your private experience, which includes a guided tour of the cellars and a unique VR experience, you will also get to visit the prestigious founder’s cellar, and taste one of Hennessy’s most exceptional blends: Paradis.

The rest of your evening will be free for you to spend as you please before check-out on your final day.

Outline Itinerary

Day Three

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your private driver who will accompany you on the 1.5 hour drive to Cognac.
• Upon arrival in Cognac, check into your Deluxe room at the 5* Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa.
• Make your way to Rémy Martin (5-minute walk) for a gastronomic lunch at their table d’hôtes, as well as a guided tour and tasting of a range of their cognacs.
• In the evening, enjoy a three-course meal with paired wines at the Michelin-starred restaurant at Hotel Chais Monnet.

Day Four

• After breakfast, make your way to your first visit (approximately 20 minutes’ walk), or, we can arrange a transfer for you at additional cost.
• Starting the day in style, you will be taken on a private tour and tastings at Chateau de Cognac, followed by a delightful three-course lunch with cognac served in the King’s private apartments.
• After lunch, make your way to your second visit (approximately 5 minutes’ walk).
• In the afternoon, you will visit the Maison Hennessy. The unique visit includes a boat crossing, a VR experience, and private tour of the ageing cellars, including the founder’s cellar, along with a tasting of some of Hennessy’s rarest cognac: Paradis. You will also be served some canapés.

Final Day

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Package Prices

• These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
• These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season (usually April to the end of October). Considerable discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
• Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
• Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
• Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.

Enhance your Experience/Tour Upgrades

Further Information