The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (Brotherhood of the Knights of Tastevin) is the most famous French wine brotherhood in Burgundy. It was founded on 16 November 1934 by the two winegrowers Georges Faiveley (1905-1984) and Camille Rodier (1887-1976) with a few friends in the commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges (Côte d'Or). This took place on the eve of the annual auctions of wines from the Hospices de Beaune, which had been organised for centuries. The Confrérie does not own any vineyards and does not produce any wines.
Reason for the foundation
The Confrérie was founded in response to major sales problems for Burgundy wines caused by poor harvests, the temperance movement and the aftermath of the First World War (1914-1918). Sales figures fell steadily from 1920 to 1934. Many landowners, even of Grand Cru sites, sold their vineyards.
The founders were inspired by the legend of the Knights of the Round Table. Their aim was to promote the image and marketing of wines from Burgundy, particularly abroad. They chose the Tastevin, a historic silver wine tasting bowl, as their symbol. This bowl (diameter 8.5 cm, depth 2.3 cm) is attached to a necklace and is worn by members at events (see picture below).
Château du Clos de Vougeot
The headquarters of the brotherhood is the Château du Clos de Vougeot (see picture above), located in the centre of the famous Grand Cru vineyard Clos de Vougeot, which was built in the 16th century by monks of the Cistercian order. In 1920, it was bought by the winegrower and mayor of Vosne-Romanée Étienne Camuzet (1867-1946), who made the premises available to the...
