Confrérie des Vignerons de Saint-Vincent de Mâcon
In
1951 this Mâcon-based society replaced a moribund village confrérie,
breathing new life into it and spreading its activities over the whole
region.
It holds chapters during which enrolment as “knights” or “officers”
is granted to personalities deemed worthy of this honour and who will
make capable defenders and promoters of Mâconnais wines throughout
France and the world at large.
“This distinction cannot be bought; it must be earned,” say the
officials of the society. And in the same spirit the postulants have to
perform – symbolically – the principal tasks of the vigneron (pruning,
digging, harvesting, etc.) before drinking from a marriage-cup.
During the investiture ceremony, the “Matiscona” group sings the old
songs of the original brotherhood, including a beautiful hymn to Saint
Vincent.
Confrérie des Vignerons de Saint-Vincent de Mâcon
520 Avenue de Lattre de Tassigny
71000 Mâcon
Tel : 03 85 39 48 71
Tel/Fax : 03 85 37 81 49
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Confrérie Saint-Vincent et Disciples de la Chanteflûte de Mercurey
The seat of this Confrérie is at Mercurey, in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise vineyards.
Too little known for too long, the wines of this lovely area are today beginning to get the recognition they deserve.
The Confrérie of Saint Vincent was founded in 1949 and merged in
1971 with the Disciples de la Chanteflûte whose emblem became that of
the joint society. (The object in question is a sort of pipette,
generally made of silver, for sampling wines in barrel.)
The first chapter was held on Saint Vincent’s day in 1972. Nowadays,
three chapters are held each year, in the course of which new
disciples are initiated by “Osiris, master of the flowering vine, by
Mercury, messenger of the Gods, and by Saint Vincent, patron saint of
the vignerons…”
Alongside these festive occasions, the wine-growers of Mercurey have
instituted the Chanteflûtage – a professional tasting held each spring
to award a mark of recognition to the best wines of the Côte
Chalonnaise appellation
s.
Château de Garnerot en Côte Chalonnaise
B.P. 17
71640 Mercurey
Tel : 03 85 45 22 99 - Fax : 03 85 45 24 88
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Confrérie des Grumeurs de Santenay
The inaugural chapter of this organisation took place on Friday November 17th, 1989, two d
ays before the Hospices de Beaune wine auction.
This young brotherhood meets three times a year – on Saint Vincent’s
Day, Saint John’s Day (Midsummer), and in mid-November when the new
wine is ready – in the historic setting of the castle held in 1376 by
Philip the Bold (1342-1404) when he was Duke of Burgundy.
After gruming the divine nectar, the postulants are installed by the
Grand Prior in his cape, red and gold cap and ribbons in the colours
of Santenay, assisted by the members of the Grand Council. The formula
is:
“By Saint Vincent, patron saint of the vignerons, by Philip the
Bold, ambassador for the wines of Santenay, we dub you a Grumeur of
Santenay. The new initiates promise to defend and promote the wines of
Santenay, whose virtues deserve to be still better known among lovers
of the wines of Bu
rgundy.
Confrérie des Grumeurs de Santenay
B.P. 22 21590 Santenay
Tel : 03 80 20 67 77
Fax : 03 80 20 65 92
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Confrérie du Souverain Baillage de Pommard
The
“Baillage de Pommard” was created in 1893 under the patronage of M.
Jean-Philippe Lecat, a former Minister of Culture. It is the only such
society to be currently presided over by a woman. She wears a red cape,
symbolising the dignity of her office, and is assisted by two
blue-robed lieutenants-general and a number of provosts.
There are two chapters a year, one
in spring and one in autumn, held in the deep cellars of the village
of Pommard, one of the oldest on the Côte. The installation of new
“baillis” is accompanied by tastings of the famous wines of Pommard
whose world-wide reputation is sometimes said to rest, at least in
part, on the fact that the word “Pommard” is uncommonly easy to
remember and to pronounce in any language.
Confrérie du Souverain Baillage de Pommard
21 route d’Autun 21630 Pommard
Tel : 03 80 22 59 69
Fax : 03 80 24 96 57
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Cousinerie de Bourgogne
It was the legendary hospitality of Burgundy which led to the
official founding at Savigny-lès-Beaune on January 22nd, 1960, of the
“Cousinerie de Bourgogne” under the motto “All gentlemen are cousins”.
The occasion was the feast of Saint Vincent, patron of the vignerons,
where the founders of the brotherhood and the first initiates took part
in a great feast in the celebrated communal cellars of Savigny, among
the townspeople and their friends.
Nowadays, and still in the same venue, the new Cousins, take an oath
to the head of the order and his officers to maintain the tradition of
Burgundian hospitality.
Their oath is sealed with an infusion by mouth of the “blood” of
their newly adopted country, cheerfully administered by one of the
officers – the Boutellier. Once sworn in, they receive their blue and
gold scarf, their diploma, and the text of their harangue, and sign
their names in the Golden Book. Since 1960, nearly 5,300 Cousins from
all five continents have been ceremonially received into the order at
banquets called “Goûtaillons”. The accompaniment is provided by the
hunting horns of the Trompes de la Saint-Hubert, by drinking songs, and
by recitations from the Joyeux Bourgignons. The Goûtaillons take place
4 times a year.
Cousinerie de Bourgogne
21420 Savigny-lès-Beaune
Tel : 03 80 21 53 34
Fax : 03 80 21 55 32
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Confrérie des Chevaliers des Trois Ceps
The object of this society founded in November 1965 is to maintain the traditions and promote the wines of
the Auxerrois vineyard district,
one of the oldest in France which traces its origins back to the Roman
legions. Its name “Trois Ceps” (three vine-stocks), whose heraldic
colours azure and or are worn by the dignitaries of the society,
symbolises the three main wine-growing communes which make up the
district: Saint-Bris, Chitry and Irancy. However, the society equally
represents other nearby vineyards from Coulanges to Joigny.
The initiation of new members from France or abroad takes place
several times a year at chapters held in the different villages or in
the magnificent rock-hewn cellars of Bailly.
The “La Linot” choir accompanies these cheerful occasions in the best Burgundian tradition.
Confrérie des Chevaliers des Trois Ceps
6 rue Charles de Gaulle
89530 Saint-Bris Le Vineux
Tel : 03 86 53 31 68
Fax: 03 86 53 66 76
***
Confrérie des Piliers Chablisiens
Chablis, the “Golden Gate to Burgundy” is the home of a wine society
calling itself “Les Piliers Chablisiens”. The society exists to honour
all those who, by their activities, writings, or simply their way of
looking at things, serve or have served the cause of Burgundy and more
especially of Chablis, its wines, its spirit and its traditions.
Some
of the meetings that take place throughout the year are private
occasions at which a particular wine-grower, négociant or co-operative
wishes to reward a client, a wine-merchant, or other personality for
services to Chablis. Other more public occasions are:
- the Saint-Vincent Tournante du Chablisien, a festival which takes place every year over the first weekend in February;
- the award of diplomas at the competitive tastings which take place at intervals throughout the year;
- the “christening” of the new vintage;
- the Fête des Vins du Chablisien at the end of November. On this
occasion the brotherhood organises a banquet of international scope
which takes place in the magnificent cellars of the Petit Pontigny, with
musical accompaniment from the prestigious folk group Le Regain.
Confrérie des Piliers Chablisiens
32 rue de Chichée
89800 Chablis
Tel/Fax : 03 86 42 48 48
Tel : 03 86 41 42 70
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Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
In
the early 1930s Burgundy was going through a serious economic crisis.
Wine wasn’t selling and no money was coming in. The Confrérie des
Chevaliers du
Tastevin
came into being on 16 November 1934 at the “Caveau Nuiton”,
Nuits-Saint-Georges. Its appearance was “like a ray of sunlight in a
dark wine cellar”.
The Confrérie (literally “brotherhood”) exists to celebrate Burgundy
and her wines, to promote the tradition of Burgundian hospitality,
human warmth and generosity, and to provide some of the best eating
anywhere in France.
Thousands of persons from all parts of the globe and all walks of
life have taken part in the famous “Chapters” (meetings) at the
society’s headquarters in the Château du
Clos
de Vougeot. Behind the ceremony, the good humour and the cheerful
optimism is a deeper purpose: to spread a better understanding of
Burgundy and the wines of Burgundy. At least half a dozen chapters are
held regularly throughout the year and each occasion is an opportunity
to initiate illustrious personalities and invite them to share a common
appreciation of the soul of Burgundy.
Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
2, rue de Chaux
B.P. 12
21700 Nuits Saint-Georges
Tel : 03 80 61 07 12
Fax: 03 80 62 37 09
