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Liquid history: Inside Maison Martell’s 300 year cognac legacy
By Shivani Dubey | 24 June 2025 | Food & Drink, Travel
Maison Martell is one of the oldest cognac houses in the world. We explore the spirits brand’s lasting legacy and visit its historic home for a gastronomic journey like no other
There are very few places in the world where, once you step into them, you feel the weight of the incredible legacy they possess. The Maison Martell distillery in Cognac, France, is one such location. From the 5km of archival history, perfectly preserved from the 1700s, to the aged casks and cellars filled with barrels of cognac dating back 300 years, there is history in every corner.
The oldest of the world’s great cognac houses, Martell was founded by Jean Martell in 1715 and has since become renowned for the finesse and elegance of its audacious eaux-de-vie. The family’s historic home, the Château de Chanteloup, has been a haven of serenity and refinement in the heart of the Borderies (the smallest and coolest of the six cognac regions) and, until 2024, was only accessible by invitation to friends of the esteemed family.
Now, however, cognac connoisseurs can not only step into this historic home but also partake in a heritage tour of the Martell archives to witness first hand a legacy of savoir-faire handed down through nine generations.
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The highlight for any connoisseur or history buff is certainly the archive and cellar tour. From books upon books of stunningly calligraphed notes, sales logs and more – many of which were written by Jean and his wife Rachel themselves – to centuries-worth of advertisements, art and even menu cards for a dinner gala honouring Hollywood star-turned-Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, the Martell archive has carefully preserved the brand’s legacy.
Deep in the Jean Martell cellar, the maison stores barrels of every single blend of its cognac ever created – including casks dating back an astonishing three centuries. In fact, in February 2024 the brand made use of this impressive heritage by releasing a new ultra-premium cognac aged in 300 year old oak barrels.
Each spirit and expression enjoys a unique character shaped by the ageing process and carefully guided and blended by cellar master Christophe Valtaud. A Cognac region native, Christophe is an expert in both local terroir and heritage, letting this deep connection guide his hand as he honours the maison’s storied history while driving innovation to meet today’s expectations. His most exclusive collection to date, Les Remarquables de Martell, is valued at €lm – the liquid is a precious blend of two of the brand’s oldest and rarest eaux-de-vie, ensuring the blends of today still hold the legacy of the past, he says.
A TASTE OF HISTORY
After a tour of the cellars, we head to the impeccably maintained Château de Chanteloup, which has been home to the signature terroir of Martell since 1715.
Transformed in the 1930s by Maurice Firino-Martell into a Deauville-style manor for his wife Elisabeth, the château is now open to the public thanks to the launch of the brand’s new gastronomic experience: Signature Martell par Alexandre Mazzia.
Offering more than a meal, the experience is made of three tiers: Signature Martell, which involves simply a leisurely lunch or dinner at the château; Au Coeur de Martell, which invites guests to the very heart of the Maison with a private visit and tasting in the historic cellar; and Grand Voyage Martell, which also adds a private blending session to complete the full programme.
The private blending session is an experience in itself. Christophe takes us through a detailed history of each blend in the maison’s beautiful tasting room while teaching us how to create our own personalised blends from the many iterations of Martell cognacs available to us. It is a truly unforgettable experience, resulting in a blend that is exactly to one’s unique taste.
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Co-created by cellar master Christophe and chef Alexandre Mazzia, Signature Martell is an intimate sensory dining experience pairing cognac and gastronomy. At the heart of the château, the dining concept features a single, modular table open to the kitchen, ensuring intimacy and attentiveness throughout, inviting interaction between the guests and the chefs.
The whole experience is designed around cognacs, thanks to input from Christophe and a masterful menu designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Alexandre. The menu is ever evolving, offering a culinary tour of France with some of the most innovative and flavourful dishes I’ve ever sampled. From the softest scallops to lamb jus-coated bread with deliciously creamy butter, the dishes just keep on coming.
The team at the château are incredibly knowledgeable, and take you through each course without skipping a beat. Not to mention the Martell cognacs that pair so well with each course. Overall, we consumed more than 20 dishes – without a single false note.
Martell has history coursing through every drop of its fine spirits and, whether you are a cognac connoisseur or a novice eager to learn more, there is truly no better place to discover more. Through the Signature Martell par Alexandre Mazzia experience, Martell has modernised its enduring legacy to offer even more to its discerning customers.
What Jean Martell gave birth to in 1715 has now turned into a powerful voice in the world of spirits, shaping and innovating the industry for the 21st century in a way only a brand as established as Martell can – all the while, continuing to honour, protect and celebrate the centuries of heritage and craftsmanship that has defined the brand.
Some of the best memories are made when you come together with loved ones, sipping on a tipple or two as you reminisce about all the moments that led you to where you are now. Taking part in the Signature Martell experience is something like that: an incredible journey through time, history and tradition, creating unforgettable memories one sip at a time.