Immerse yourself in Cognac. The digestive as well as the region.
As far as modern immersive vacations go, the one offered by the iconic Chateau du Plessis is the most luxurious.
Located in the heart of the Borderies, the smallest and oldest cru in the Cognac appellation, Château du Plessis is the home of Camus.
President Cyril Camus has issued a personal invitation to cognac lovers. “I invite you to live an exceptional and unique experience: an immersion in this place which is so dear to me and which, I hope, will be for you just as special, pleasant, and inspiring. You are at home here and I wish you to spend wonderful moments of conviviality. “
Camus’ Château du Plessis offers three suites: The Elegance Suite, Ile de Ré, and Borderies; and visitors have a three-day stay package to choose from. The most modest option is the Discovery pack, which allows guests to simply taste the castle life while enjoying the terrace, the park, and the beauty of the valley of the Charente. On Friday, guests will be greeted at 4 pm at the Château du Plessis by its Maitre d’hotel, Sophie. Guests are welcome to freely enjoy their evening and finish it under the Dome, tasting a cognac selected from the bonnetière.
On Saturday, visitors will go on a guided vineyard walk and visit the distillery for lunch. The Chateau’s chef will prepare you dinner with Cognac pairings. On Sunday, at the Visitor Center, you will attend a private cognac-making masterclass to create your own XO cognac and become an Official Assembly Master of Camus House. The packages range from £1,282 -£2,488.
You learn that Camus Cognac has been produced by five generations of the family since 1863. Its portfolio now includes “aromatic gems” like Extra Dark ad Intense, Dark and Stormy, and Il de Re Fine Island made from France’s most westernmost vineyards.
And the rest of its portfolio is VO (Very Old) or VSOP (Very Special Old Pale) and the abbreviation goes back to 1817 and an order from the British Royal Court for King George IV.
Winegrower Jean-Baptiste Camus started the business, and Edmond, Gaston (under whom Camus became the official cognac of the Tsar’s court in Russia, Michel (who introduced Limoges porcelain, Baccarat crystal, and frosted bottles), Jean-Pierre and now Cyril, who studied at Babson College in Massachusetts, continue the business founded at Chateau Plessis in Saint-Surplice de Cognac.
The current Monsieur Camus developed the Company’s signature Borderies XO, a pure Borderies blend from the family’s own vineyards, and a new cognac from Ile de Re. Becoming President in 2004, he presided over the Camus Elegance range and last year’s Camus Expedition Cognac.
“There’s a common thread, which is about research and development, which is not innovation for the sake of doing cool stuff,” explains Camus Global Brand Manager Pier Paolo Catucci.
“It’s like going back to what used to be done in the past. It is what we call the science of tradition, it’s a revival of traditional practices.
“The overall Cognac appellation is very wide. The landscapes and soils are different.”