Life style
The oldest of the great
cognac houses
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The Martell family’s 300 years of passion and scrupulous labor has passed from generation to
generation the French art of living (French Art de Vivre), enjoying the beauty of every moment
and receiving the maximum pleasure. A rich history where mastery stands in the service of taste:
Martell cognac has enjoyed and admired three centuries of solemn coronations, Hollywood films,
aristocratic weddings and even polar expeditions…and more.
The history of the Martell house began with the arrival
of the Englishman Jean Martell, a native of the island
of Jersey, to France in 1715. The French art of living
impressed him with its highest manifestation, glorifying
gastronomy with its taste and skill, all in pursuit of
enjoying the beauty of every moment. He traveled the
region in search of the best drinks (finest eaux-de-vie),
establishing relationships with local wine growers who
inherited their craft from their grandfathers and great-
grandfathers. After the death of Jean in 1753, his widow
Rachelle took over leadership, pursuing the perfect cognac
with the same attentive and tenacious attitude as her late
husband. In 1775, Rachel passed on a very prosperous
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world monitor
business to her sons Jean and Frederic, who continued to
develop international relations, sending the first batch of
cognac to the US.
In the next two decades, Martell gained international fame,
sending their first batches of cognac to Japan and other Asian
countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Korea.
The path to universal recognition of Martell is decorated
with historical milestones. In 1911, Martell was served at the
coronations of the English King George V, and on May 27,
1936, Martell cognac was served during the maiden voyage
of Queen Mary from Southampton to New York. In 1956,