The cognac vineyards are spread out across Charente and Charente-Maritime.
Around Matha or Saint-Hilaire-de-Villefranche, the countryside associated with the traditional style of wine farm with an enclosed courtyard is quite surprising. Here the earth gives birth to the most famous of spirits but also to Pineau and Charentais wines. The transformation into nectar is a job blended with ancestral savoir-faire and time … that takes time!
Welcome to the secret world of distilleries and cellars
They will have been winemakers or distillers for several generations. Their knowledge of the land is measured only by the passion that drives them. Everything is a question of attention, respect, experience. To get to know these masters of time, all you have to do is open the door to their domains. You’ll be met warmly beside the alembic where the story of cognac will be recounted and a tasting offered. All the stages in the making of cognac, from harvesting to ageing will be explained and the secret of double distillation unveiled.
Go for a fun visit to the Cep Enchanté
Unique and atypical, this site in the heart of vines is for all the family. There is a range of activities: fun trail, swing-golf, “Secrets of the truffle” treasure hunt or an XO Escape Game “The mysteries of cognac-making”. A theme park set on a family estate that enables the visitor to come to grips with the winemaker’s work and to taste the wines, pineaux and cognacs produced on the spot. Le Cep Enchanté à Macqueville offers activities that please children as well as parents.
Waken all your senses at the l’Ecomusée du cognac
Plunge into a detailed history of cognac and its sensorial universe at Migron. The cognac interpretative centre distils a mine of information through the reconstruction of a winemaker’s home, a barrel-maker’s workshop and a pineau cellar. An audio-visual spectacle completes your understanding of the region and its production. Exhibitions on subjects as diverse as coffee, chocolate and Havana cigars form a subtle marriage with cognac … on a voyage to Cuba. The highlight? A fragrance organ that enables you to savour fruity, spiced or wooded perfumes. And afterwards, try the complete tasting from savouring the nose to delighting the palate. You’ll love it!