It may seem a while away but keen planners are already preparing for Christmas. Specialist wine tour operator, Grape Escapes, are taking the hassle out of Christmas shopping for twelve lucky Cognac lovers this year with the launch of their new Premium Cognac Tour and the option to have all purchases beautifully gift wrapped and shipped back to the UK at no extra cost. The tour will take place 15-17 November 2013 and is strictly limited to twelve participants only. Prices start from just £430 per person. 

There is no better way to appreciate a preferred Cognac than at the distillery where it was produced, or to uncover a new favourite under the guided tuition of a true Cognac connoisseur. Not only are Grape Escapes offering lucky participants a behind the scenes look at the processes that go into making some of the world's most famous Cognacs, they have also teamed up with a UK Cognac expert to allow visitors to take home a little (or large) slice of the trip with free gift wrapping and delivery of all purchases made on the tour.

James Redhead of GC Cognac is one of the UK experts guiding the tour, and will arrange for all purchases to be shipped from his shop in the UK, beautifully gift wrapped, in time for Christmas. This means visitors can feel free to purchase as much Cognac as they like without having to worry about transporting it back home. 

However, the tour provides more than just a great opportunity to stock up in time for Christmas. Further highlights include an introduction to the process of Cognac making in the distillery at the Logis du Paradis in Criteuil la Magdeleine; a trip to a large, world-famous Cognac House such as Hine or Rémy Martin; tours of two small, family-run estates to meet the makers of the Cognacs and a demonstration of the very rarely seen Bonne Chauffe process used in the second Cognac distillation.

With places strictly limited to twelve participants and free UK Christmas delivery, the Premium Cognac Tour is a must-do for any true Cognac lover. For more information and to book, visit www.grapeescapes.net.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:
Representation Plus
Edith Meyer / Anna Wolstenholme
Email: edith@representationplus.co.uk / anna@representationplus.co.uk  
Tel: 020 8877 4510/4511 
Support for press trips is available for selected publications, please e-mail edith@representationplus.co.uk. 

Notes to Editors:
Grape Escapes is a specialist wine tour operator, offering wine tours to France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Grape Escapes offer a broad range of wine tasting tours and trips to vineyards in Ribera del Duero and Rioja in Spain, Tuscany in Italy, Porto in Portugal and the main French wine regions: Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, The Rhône and The Loire. Grape Escapes run numerous wine tasting trips for individuals, groups (social groups, hen weekends, wine clubs, car clubs, and birthday trips among others) as well as wine tasting trips for corporate clients. www.grapeescapes.net 

Travel Package:
• Please contact Grape Escapes to book places on 08456 430 860 or email at info@grapeescapes.net. 
• Prices for the two-night Premium Cognac Tour start from £430 per person. The price includes two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, visits to three Cognac Houses, one master class and one blending workshop.
• The price also includes tastings of four wines and thirteen Cognacs/Pineaux.
• The tour will take place from 15-17 November 2013 and will be for twelve consumer participants.  
• A £25 per person early bird discount applies to booking confirmed and paid for over 60 days before travel. The price of the package includes return transfers from Bordeaux airport, however travel to and from Bordeaux is not included in the price of the tour.
• Grape Escapes recommend flying direct with British Airways departing from London Gatwick Friday 15 November at 15:30 and departing from Bordeaux Airport Sunday 17 November at 18:35.
• Alternatively there are flights with easyJet departing from London Luton Friday 15 November at 07:20 and departing Bordeaux Airport 13:30 Sunday 17 November. 
• All purchases made on the tour will be delivered by GC Cognac in the UK. There is no minimum spend required.