The Spectator Access-All-Areas Cognac Trip | 14 - 16 September 2026 - PER PERSON DEPOSIT

Deposit due now £800 per person with balance payable by Friday 14 August.

Drinks editor Jonathan Ray will lead a very special triple-A, all inclusive 48 hours in Cognac, taking guests behind the scenes at four of the finest producers and stay in a delightful 17^th-century town house hotel in Jarnac.

Monday 14 September: For those who choose to fly, we will meet the early morning British Airways flight from Gatwick departing LGW 06.35 and arriving Bordeaux-Mérignac 09.25 and head straight to Restaurant Le Gueuleton in Segonzac.

In the afternoon we will stroll to Cointreau-family-owned Frapin for a post-prandial visit and tasting before checking into Hotel Ligaro in Jarnac. There will be ample time to wander about this charming riverside town, before heading to the glorious, 200-year-old, family-owned House of Delamain for cocktails and a buffet supper in their garden.

Tuesday 15 September: we will visit Thomas Hine & Co for a tasting and buffet lunch, before taking our luxury coach to Hennessy in the town of Cognac. The visit will include a boat ride across the River Charente to Hennessy’s bankside cellars.

In the evening, we will return to Delamain in Jarnac for a private, after-hours tour, visit and tasting. This will include a sensorial journey through the Maison’s various cellars and will include tastings of the Single Cask, Crypt and Vintage Cognacs at various stages of their maturation.

This will be followed by a Bollinger champagne reception in the Delamain garden and dinner in their cellars – home to the Maison’s oldest Grande Champagne cognacs – the specially created menu based around Delamain’s Limited Edition, Single Cask Pléiade cognacs, including the hors d’âge L’Oiseau Rare. The evening will conclude with cigars and cognac nightcaps in the garden of the Hotel Ligaro.

Wednesday 16 September: For those flying back to the UK, there will be a coach transfer the following morning to Bordeaux airport in time for the 12.20pm BA flight to Gatwick (arrives 12.55).

COST: £1,600 per person / £200 single supplement. Cost includes accommodation, all tastings and meals with champagne and wines plus transfers to and from Bordeaux-Mérignac airport and between Jarnac and Cognac.

Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

Limited to a group of 14.