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This weekend, the medieval town of Saint-Émilion will come alive with one of its most beautiful ceremonies: the Jurade Spring Festival. With parades in traditional costumes, solemn investitures, and the proclamation of the Judgment of the New Wine, this must-see event carries on a tradition dating back eight centuries. Here’s everything you need to know before heading out to take a curious peek at the festivities—or to regret having missed them.
To understand the Spring Festival, you first need to understand what the Jurade is. And for that, you have to go back to July 8, 1199.
That year, Jean Sans Terre —King of England and Duke of Aquitaine—signed the Charter of Falaise, granting the burghers of Saint-Émilion the right to form a sworn brotherhood, that is, one founded on an oath. Thus was born the Jurade: an institution tasked with monitoring the quality of the wines, inspecting the barrels, proclaiming the Ban des Vendanges, and cracking down on any fraud or production deemed unworthy.
It endured until the French Revolution, which dissolved it. Then, after more than a century and a half of dormancy, passionate winemakers revived it on September 13, 1948, with a renewed mission: to perpetuate traditions and uphold the values of Saint-Émilion wines throughout the world.
Since 2008, the Jurade has also served as the ambassador for the Lussac Saint-Émilion and Puisseguin Saint-Émilion appellations.
The Jurade is a brotherhood comprising 140 Jurats, recognizable by their ceremonial attire: a red robe with white lapels and flaps, worn over a cape, a white camail, a red toque, and white gloves. All these elements combine to make each ceremony a striking visual spectacle in the cobblestone streets of Saint-Émilion.
During induction ceremonies, the Jurats confer several titles, depending on the recipients’ profiles:
Each inductee takes the same oath, unchanged since the Middle Ages: “To Saint-Émilion, always faithful.”
Since 1948, more than 3,000 distinguished individuals have joined the ranks of the Jurade, becoming ambassadors for the wines of Saint-Émilion across the globe. Today, the Jurade’s influence extends far beyond France’s borders, with about ten chancelleries established around the world: York, Oxford, Abidjan, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Malta, Trondheim…
La Jurade structures its calendar around two annual highlights, known as “chapters”:
The Spring Festival, held on the third Sunday of June, and the Harvest Festival, held on the third Sunday of September. These two events provide an opportunity to induct new dignitaries, as well as to celebrate the vineyard’s natural cycle.
In June, we celebrate the flowering of the vines: those small, fragrant white flowers that, if the weather is favorable, will give rise to future grape clusters. In September, the Ban des Vendanges symbolically marks the start of the harvest—a feudal right that, in the past, was required before winegrowers could pick their grapes.
Over the years, the Jurade induction ceremony has become a popular event far beyond the world of wine. Prominent figures from all walks of life have taken the oath, “To Saint-Émilion, always faithful.”
Among the notable figures inducted in recent years:
In 2025, the Spring Festival saw the induction of 25 new dignitaries, including actor Raphaël Personnaz, film personalities Patrick Mille (actor) and Matthieu Delaporte (co-director of The Count of Monte Cristo), as well as Brazilian soccer legend Raï Souza Vieira de Oliveira, former captain of PSG and the Seleção, now a dedicated philanthropist.
In 2023, world champion handball player Valentin Porte joined the ranks of the Jurade, alongside 24 other inductees.
In 2024, 19 new dignitaries were welcomed, including journalist David Abiker and several high-ranking diplomats.
Beyond these recent inductions, the list of distinguished inductees is long. Astronaut Thomas Pesquet was inducted as a Peer of the Jurade during the Ban des Vendanges, alongside Frédéric Mazzella, founder of BlaBlaCar. Singer Sting is also among the distinguished members. And in the world of gastronomy, renowned chefs such as Alain Passard and Philippe Etchebest have joined this great family.
These inductions are not merely symbolic: each new member commits to speaking on behalf of the vineyard, promoting its wines to those around them, and embodying the values of sharing and excellence that have earned Saint-Émilion its reputation.
Watching about a hundred Jurats in scarlet robes parade through the medieval streets of Saint-Émilion under the June sun is a sight you’ll never forget. The ceremony blends historical solemnity, collective fervor, and the beauty of the setting—a living heritage site listed by UNESCO since 1999.
The Spring Festival is also an opportunity to discover or rediscover the wines of Saint-Émilion in their natural and historical context. A toast of friendship, entertainment, and meetings with winemakers: there’s no shortage of moments of camaraderie surrounding the ceremony.
What is striking about the Jurade is its ability to remain deeply rooted in history while embracing the present. Astronauts, soccer players, actors, chefs: the brotherhood welcomes members from all generations and walks of life, proof that the love of wine—and of Saint-Émilion in particular—knows no bounds.
In 2025, among the curious visitors who wanted to soak up the atmosphere of the Spring Festival and learn more about it was… Eva Longoria!
The American actress, who was visiting France for her series “Eva Longoria: Searching for France”, was able to immerse herself in the heart of our tradition. The Jurats’ procession, the solemn ceremony in the monolithic church of Saint-Émilion, the curious glances of passersby, and the smiles of the Jurats, delighted to see so many people gathered together… It’s enough to make you want to come and enjoy the spectacle yourself!
Whether you’re a wine lover, a history buff, or simply curious to enjoy an extraordinary experience, the Jurade Spring Festival is an event not to be missed. The medieval town of Saint-Émilion, 35 km east of Bordeaux, welcomes you for a day filled with tradition, sharing, and camaraderie.
On the festival schedule:
And for all those who cannot make the trip this Sunday, join us in September for the Ban des Vendanges on September 19 and 20, 2026—the second major event of the Jurade’s year.
