The fraternities, a source of wine-centred revelry

How can you live wine without generating happy gatherings? Born with the work of the vine, Beaujolais fraternities cultivate convivial festivities. Around a dozen different Bacchic organisations relive local , cultural or gastronomic customs every year. The best well-known, "Les Compagnons du Beaujolais", invites each appellation in turn to its three annual sessions at their "Cuvage" or old vatroom, in Lacenas. These customs and rites are also respected by the "Confrérie des Maîtres Vignerons de Chénas et Moulin-à-Vent" whose motto is "à tassée pleine, joie s'enchaîne" (a full taste-vin can bring nothing but joy).

Each appellation has its own ambassadors: the "Grappilleurs des Pierres Dorées", the "Groupement des Organisations Sociales Intellectuelles Educatives Récréatives Sportives et Culturelles", aka the GOSIERSEC (ever thirsty), the "Amis de Brouilly" not forgetting the following fraternities or ‘confréries' "du Premier Pressoir du Cru morgon", "Saint-Juliénas des prés" and "du Chant de la Vigne". Don't let the name fraternity mislead you, there are women's groups to defend their appellations too, including the "Damoiselles de Chiroubles" and "La Grappe Fleurie" folk group.