Journey to the Cognac heartland for a behind-the-scenes tour of an artisan Maison — walking the barrel cellars, nosing aged eaux-de-vie, and blending your own bespoke cognac to take home. Cruisers who've done it say they still dream about it.
What to expect
Your guide drives you through the rolling Charente countryside to a family-owned Cognac Maison, where the Maître de Chai (cellar master) greets you personally. You tour the copper pot stills and vast darkened cellars stacked with Limousin oak barrels, tasting spirit at different ages. The masterclass climaxes with blending your own cuvée, which is bottled and labelled as your own creation to carry back aboard.
Good to know
Cognac is approximately 90 minutes from Libourne — a full-day commitment. Verify your ship's all-aboard time and factor in a buffer. Private car included with the guide booking. Absolutely pre-book: the cellar master's time is the centrepiece and cannot be improvised.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Libourne — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.