The Confrèrie, like its fellow associations that now exist in many wine regions, is principally concerned with the promotion of its wines. It was re-created at a time of World recession, when the winemakers were unable to sell their wines and they needed to muster their colleagues to survive through a time of crisis.
The Brotherhood was instigated by two dynamic Burgundians from Nuits-Saint-Georges, Georges FAIVELEY and Camille RODIER, who gathered some of their friends in a cellar to set about trying to turn the fortunes of the Côte d'Or around. Over several hours of serious deliberation, fortified only by the odd moldy bottle they managed to find in their meeting place, they only parted after giving a solemn undertaking to fight "on behalf of French wines in general and those of Burgundy in particular".
According to the Confrèrie today, their vow went something like this: "Quality wines such as ours ought to bring forth joy and optimism. Enough of woe! If our cellars are full, we must empty them and invite our friends to helps us. Let us renew our old Bacchic guilds. In order to ward off ill fortune, we must take from Rabelais his good humour and raciness, and from Molière his cheerful outlook on life and his common sense".
The first action of the Confrèrie was to acquire the Château of the Clos de Vougeot, which provided it with a headquarters commanding a "view over the vineyards". At this awe-inspiring site the Brothers host regular gastronomic banquets, to which they invite "statesmen, ambassadors, members of the academies, great military leaders, artists, men and women of letters, and industrialists" to share their good humor and the best of their wines. These feasts, or "Chapitres" as they are called, are held numerous times throughout the year: Spring, Summer, Autumn ... the Equinox, the fete of Saint-Vincent and Saint-Hubert ... These Chapitres are the Confrèrie's way to welcome their most illustrious guests as well as their customers and friends who appreciate the soul of Burgundy.
The Confrèrie has expanded worldwide since its inception, with "Commanderies" which enthusiastically support its efforts in North America, Australia, Bermuda, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto-Rico, Tahiti, Mauritius. The Brotherhood has spread its web in much the same fashion as the original occupants of the magnificent Chateau of the Clos de Vougeot, the Cistercian monks who, as early as the twelfth century, organized through their Chapters international meetings to promote "peace and mutual understanding". In the same spirit of goodwill and benevolence, the Chevaliers of Vougeot donate each year the equivalent of the first service of wine at one of their Chapitres to a charity of their choosing - and when you look at the wines they serve to thier 500 or so guests, that's not a mean sum!
Back to TOP of page