The Frapin family can trace their roots in the Cognac region to 1210. They began as vine-growers, and then began distilling their own spirits. Frapin is now in the enviable position of being the largest single-estate in the Grande Champagne region of Cognac, with generations of experience and tradition on which to draw. In early 2007, Jean-Pierre Cointreau took over the running of the business.

The estate covers 300ha of vineyards, officially listed as Premier Grand Cru du Cognac. Two hundred hectares are planted to Ugni Blanc. The soil here is identical to that found in Reims - crumbly, chalky, hence the area's name 'Grande Champagne'.

Frapin is renowned for its intense, wonderfully balanced and flavoursome cognacs. These are rich, long-lived spirts that display extraordinary complexity of aroma and depth of flavour. Each individual spirit is left to mature to its own optimum condition. The fairly small scale of production also allows the family to hold generous stocks of mature spirits.

The quality of the cognacs produced by Cellar Master Olivier Paultes simply goes from strength to strength. Château de Fontpinot won the Gold Medal and Cognac Trophy at the ISC in London in 1998, the VSOP won the Gold at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco in 2001, the Château de Fontpinot Vintage 1986 20yr old won the Gold Medal at the ISC in 2007 and the newly launched 'Le Multimillésime', the world's first multi-vintage cognac won a Gold Medal, the Cognac Trophy and the Overall Spirits Trophy at the ISC 2008! Phew!