A celebration of the 4 seasons and the Saint-Emilion vineyard
The origins of the Spring Festival
The Jurade of Saint-Emilion Spring Festival is an event deeply rooted in the history of the town, celebrating the renewal of nature in spring.
Every year in June, the Jurade of Saint-Emilion gathers to celebrate the life that animates the vines, transforming flowers into promising bunches of grapes.
Over the years, this traditional event has become a tribute to the beauty and vitality of nature, and to the art of viticulture.
The Jurade of Saint-Emilion events
The Spring Festival
Saint-Emilion wines ambassadors and inductees
During the 2023 Spring Festival festivities, 25 new Jurade of Saint-Emilion dignitaries were inducted.
Late in the afternoon, the procession left the gardens of the Town Hall to end in the Monolithic Church of Saint-Emilion, where the inductions took place.
These 25 inductees in turn became ambassadors of the wines of Saint-Emilion, proudly bearing the colors of this exceptional terroir.
For the occasion, the Jurade welcomed a new Chancellor: Elizabeth PADLEY. She takes over from Gerald SACKS at the head of the Oxford Chancellery. Gerald SACKS, who was himself inducted and made Chancellor in 2013, is retiring after many years of promoting and showcasing Saint-Emilion wines.
Inductees also include :
Valentin PORTE, professional handball player who won the Handball World Cup in 2015 and 2017 as well as the title of Olympic Champion in 2021 with the French team.
David DEGOUY, assistant coach at Montpellier Handball Club (MHB) since 2018.
Lijuan LI, Asian Market Manager at Vineyards Bordeaux, who also won The Voice China in 2013.
Rodolphe LAMEYSE, Managing Director of Vinexpo since 2019.
Pascal FAUGERE, Managing Director of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The 4 seasons theme
The 2023 Spring Festival dinner was held in the prestigious Salle des Dominicains of the Saint-Emilion Wine Council.
This year’s event was marked by captivating entertainment centered on the theme of the 4 seasons, highlighting the beauty and richness of Saint-Emilion’s vineyards.
The theme of the 4 seasons highlighted the different transformation cycles of vines and wine throughout the year, as well as the vineyard’s growing commitment to environmentally-friendly viticultural practices.
The Spring Festival was therefore a true celebration of this commitment, while highlighting the beauty and harmony of the 4 seasons that punctuate the life of this exceptional terroir.
11 Saint-Emilion wines in the spotlight
11 wines were served during the 2023 Spring Festival dinner.
These wines, carefully selected in harmony with the menu, proudly represented the 4 appellations of the Saint-Émilion vineyards:
The evening offered a special opportunity for guests to appreciate the subtlety of the grape varieties and the story behind each bottle.
These wines reflected the excellence and diversity of Saint-Emilion’s terroirs at this 2023 edition of the Jurade’s Spring Festival.
Wine selection - 2023 Spring Festival
In alphabetic order
Next Jurade of Saint-Emilion event: The Harvest Proclamation
In September 2023, as every year on the 3rd Sunday of the month, the Harvest Proclamation (Ban des Vendanges) will take place in Saint-Émilion, marking the start of the harvest period.
This upcoming ceremony will celebrate the freshly harvested 2023 vintage, symbolizing the link between the vineyard’s past and its future.
To mark the Harvest Proclamation and the European Heritage Days, Joseph Calleja (Tenor) will be performing in Saint-Emilion’s Collegiate Church! Accompanied by Lada Bockova (Soprano) and Morgane Fauchois-Prado (Pianist), the Maltese-born tenor will be performing the highlights of his repertoire!