A Journey into the Heart of Cognac and French Craftsmanship
In the heart of the Grande Champagne region, the Premier Cru of Cognac, Maison Frapin invites you to an exceptional experience: a visit to its historic distillery, its aging cellars, and the Fontpinot Castle, the cradle of a family legacy spanning more than twenty generations.
Here, time seems to stand still, paced by the rhythm of the seasons, the distillation, and the slow maturation of cognac.
For eight centuries, the Frapin family has cultivated a singular art: transforming the vine into emotion.
A visit to Maison Frapin is an immersion in living history, where heritage meets innovation and human hands converse with nature.
It is also the key to understanding why Cognac Frapin is celebrated worldwide for its aromatic purity, balance, and elegance.
Book your visit to Maison Frapin
An Exceptional Estate in the Heart of Grande Champagne
Located in Segonzac, in the very heart of the Charente vineyards, Maison Frapin embodies the quintessence of Grande Champagne Cognac.
This terroir, with its chalky soils and mild microclimate, is recognized as the noblest of all the crus. It gives the wines exceptional finesse and acidity, ideal for double distillation and long aging.
The Frapin estate covers more than 240 hectares (590 acres) of vineyards planted exclusively with Ugni Blanc, a grape known for its resilience and bright aromas.
Visitors discover Fontpinot Castle, a 15th-century architectural jewel whose golden stones overlook the valley. Its calm atmosphere immediately reflects the spirit of the house: here, every gesture honors time and terroir.
Committed to High Environmental Value (HVE) practices, Maison Frapin cultivates its vines sustainably—natural grass cover, gentle pruning, recycling of distillation by-products, and reduced carbon footprint.
This care for the land is a family pride, because for Frapin, a great cognac always begins with healthy vines and a living soil.
The Secrets of Cognac Distillation
The tour often begins in the distillery, where wine is transformed into eau-de-vie.
Under the soft light, the Charentais copper stills rise majestically, silent witnesses to centuries of expertise.
The guide reveals the magic of double distillation, a slow and precise process that extracts the purest essence of the wine.
The first heating separates the wine from its impurities; the second, more delicate, isolates the “bonne chauffe”—the noble and aromatic heart of the distillate.
Frapin distills “on the lees”, meaning with the natural yeasts from fermentation, a demanding choice that imparts richness, roundness, and aromatic depth.
Visitors also discover the intuition of the master distiller, who uses sight and scent to decide the exact moment to make the cut. No machine can replace this delicate human instinct.
The air fills with notes of warm copper, white fruit, and dried flowers—a mesmerizing sensory ballet.
Then comes the peaceful silence of the aging cellars, where time takes physical form.
The oak casks, carefully selected from French coopers, breathe slowly. Each year, a small part of the alcohol evaporates—the famous “angels’ share”—enriching the aromas of vanilla, dried fruit, and soft spices.
The humid cellars lend smoothness and depth, while the dry ones give structure and tension. The art of Frapin lies in balancing the two.
Discover the “Savoir-Faire” Tour
The Maison Frapin Tour Experiences
Every tour is designed as a complete experience, blending education, emotion, and pleasure.
The different circuits are tailored for all visitors: the curious, the connoisseurs, families, or spirits enthusiasts.
The Discovery Tour – The Essence of Cognac
This one-hour introduction covers the essentials of Maison Frapin.
It begins with the history of the estate, followed by a visit to the distillery and the cellars.
The guide explains the unique character of the Grande Champagne terroir, the specificity of Ugni Blanc, and the patience required to craft an exceptional cognac.
In the dim light of the cellars, the scent of oak and aging spirits creates a serene, almost sacred atmosphere.
Visitors quickly understand that at Frapin, everything revolves around balance, precision, and time.
The experience ends with a guided tasting of two signature cognacs.
The first reveals youthful freshness and fruit, the second the warmth of slow maturation—a perfect introduction to the art of cognac.
The Savoir-Faire Tour – The Art of Time
This in-depth 90-minute tour offers a complete immersion into the world of cognac craftsmanship.
Visitors follow the full process—from vineyard to bottle.
In the fields, they learn about sustainable viticulture, the influence of the seasons, and the care given to each grape cluster.
In the distillery, the guide details the two-stage distillation, the role of copper, and the precision of temperature control.
The journey continues to the blending room, where eaux-de-vie from different years and cellars are carefully combined to achieve harmony.
Each master blender leaves an invisible signature that defines the Frapin style: generous, elegant, and deeply aromatic.
The tour concludes with a tasting of four cognacs, including one XO.
The progression from VSOP to XO illustrates how time sculpts the spirit—bringing complexity, softness, and incomparable length on the palate.
Guests leave with the sense of having truly touched the soul of cognac.
The VIP Tour – An Exclusive Experience
The VIP Tour is a bespoke journey for lovers of rare and refined spirits.
Accompanied by an expert guide, visitors explore the working distillery, the oldest aging cellars, and private areas of Fontpinot Castle usually closed to the public.
The castle’s private salons, adorned with wood paneling and family portraits, immerse guests in the intimacy of a house where history and elegance intertwine.
The tour culminates with a private tasting of XO and vintage cognacs, followed by a cocktail crafted with Cognac Frapin.
Each sip reveals layers of smoothness, power, and complexity—an experience that delights both the senses and the mind.
The Heritage Tour – Culture, History, and Terroir
Designed for history and culture enthusiasts, this tour highlights the heritage dimension of Maison Frapin.
The guide evokes great family figures, including François Rabelais, the renowned 16th-century writer and humanist descended from the Frapin line.
The tour weaves through centuries of tradition, revealing ancient cellars, coopering tools, and archival treasures—each telling a part of the story.
A walk through the vineyards completes the experience.
Visitors learn how the chalky soils of Grande Champagne retain water and release it slowly, nurturing the vines even in the hottest months.
This natural harmony gives Frapin cognacs their balance and aromatic precision.
The tour concludes with a serene tasting in the shade of the castle or in the heart of the cellars—a perfect blend of history, terroir, and emotion.
A Memorable Tasting Experience
Tasting marks the highlight of every visit.
In a warm salon overlooking the vineyards, visitors learn how to appreciate cognac: observing its amber hue, inhaling its bouquet, and savoring its texture slowly.
Each sip tells the story of the grape, the oak, and the passing of time.
The floral notes of Frapin VSOP contrast with the opulent richness of an XO aged more than twenty years.
Some express dried fruits and spice, others evoke vanilla, honey, or leather.
Professional guides share their expertise: how to select a cognac, the ideal serving temperature, and food pairing suggestions.
This thoughtful, educational approach appeals equally to newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs.
One visitor summed it up perfectly:
“A fascinating tour led by passionate experts. The cellars are breathtaking, and the XO tasting at the end was truly unforgettable.”
Plan Your Visit to Maison Frapin
Maison Frapin welcomes visitors year-round, by reservation.
Tours are available in French and English, from Monday to Saturday, and by request for groups or professionals.
Practical information:
- Address: Château Fontpinot, 16130 Segonzac, France
- Access: 15 minutes from Cognac, 45 minutes from Angoulême
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours depending on the tour
- Price: €15 to €60 per person
- Languages: French / English
- Children welcome (without tasting)
Advance booking is highly recommended, especially during summer and weekends.
Companies can also reserve private spaces for seminars, cocktails, or bespoke experiences.
Discovering Cognac Beyond the Visit
Extending your visit to Maison Frapin means exploring a region rich in heritage and authenticity.
The Grande Champagne area enchants visitors with its rolling vineyards, stone villages, and relaxed way of life.
Nearby attractions include cycling through the vines, river cruises on the Charente, gastronomic experiences, and workshops on coopering or perfumery inspired by cognac.
For wine and spirits travelers, Maison Frapin is an essential stop.
It captures the very spirit of cognac: a blend of legacy, craftsmanship, and French art de vivre.
Here, one doesn’t just taste a spirit—one discovers a culture and a way of life.
Conclusion – The Frapin Experience, A Living Heritage
A visit to Maison Frapin is more than an introduction to cognac—it is an encounter with time itself.
Every stone, every barrel, every glass tells a story of patience and transmission.
It is a sensory, cultural, and human journey that resonates long after the visit ends.
Whether you choose the Discovery, Savoir-Faire, Heritage, or VIP Experience, each tour offers a unique, emotional encounter with the essence of the Grande Champagne.
Crossing the gates of Fontpinot Castle, you understand why the name Frapin stands as a hallmark of excellence in the world of cognac.
Book your visit to Maison Frapin
and experience an unforgettable journey in the heart of Cognac’s Premier Cru.
