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La Fête de la Fleur
France
In 1950, the newly revived, but determined Commanderie introduced a spring festival.
The traditional wine-related events, Saint Vincent’s Day and the Harvest Proclamation, already existed and just needed to be strengthened, but this new spring festival rapidly became the celebration of the flowering of the vine and in 1959, when the Graves and Medoc Orders merged and when we contributed to the formation of the Commanderie du Bontemps de Sauternes et Barsac, the festival became recognised as the Fête de la Fleur.
So, why dedicate a festival to a flower? And to which flower? It could only be for the abundant, but discreet vine flower! Winegrowers anxiously wait for these small, white inflorescences to appear and watch over them closely, because how well the vine flowers is a first indication of the nature of the coming harvest, both in terms of quality and quantity. These tiny white flowers emerge after cascades of flowers appear on the Robinia trees, whose wood is used for making vine stakes. Winegrowers also observe the date when white lilies bloom, using it as a rule of thumb to calculate that of the harvest.
Modern technology has since proven that the ancient custom of harvesting 100 days after the point when half the vines have flowered and 90 days after the lilies come into flower was accurate.
These days, analysis to check the ripeness of the different grape varieties has slightly modified these dates. This is why Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac winegrowers, merchants and brokers are pleased to get together with their enthusiast friends, who love our wines, in late June, when the vines are flowering, to celebrate the tiny, sweet-smelling blossoms on which they pin all their hopes. Today, with more than 1,500 guests, the Fête de la Fleur has become a keynote event for wine lovers from all corners of the world, who spend a highly prestigious evening sharing their passion for great Medoc and Graves, Sauternes and Barsac wines. Many Michelin-starred chefs and stars from the worlds of cinema and music, as well as internationally prominent people have honoured this world-renowned festival with their presence.
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Rétrospective
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
La fête de la fleur 2019
Château Lynch-Moussas
The Fête de la Fleur was hosted at Château Lynch-Moussas in Pauillac.
It was also an opportunity for the Casteja Family to celebrate its acquisition of the estate 100 years ago.
1,650 guests were welcomed in a magnificent setting.
The meal was concocted by the great starred chef Marc Haeberlin from Alsace, and perfectly accompanied with great Commanderie wines and vintages from the Chateau. The highlight of the evening was a rather burlesque talk by the very famous surprise guest, Mr Jack Ma, President of Alibaba Group.
The evening was capped by a firework display above the vines, followed by dancing. The celebration was widely acclaimed by delighted guests!
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Mr Jack Ma, Président d'Alibaba Group.
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La fête de la fleur 2018
Jardin Public de Bordeaux
1080 guests at our prestigious “Fête de la Fleur” this year at the Jardin Public de Bordeaux. The Commanderie has inducted 31 personalities. A wonderful evening that gather worldwide wine passionate people. The menu was imagined by Michelin-starred chef Julien Lefebvre.
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La fête de la fleur 2017
Château Malartic Lagravière
Château Malartic-Lagravière, classified growth of Graves, have host the traditional Fête de La Fleur on Wednesday 21st June 2017 a prestige event held as Vinexpo draws to a close in Bordeaux. This Fête de la Fleur have also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bonnie family s acquisition of the property. 1500 guests gathered at the Château Malartic-Lagravière around dishes imagined by Yannick ALLENO triple-star chef.
Cocktail wines : Château la Tour de By 2009 – Château Filhot 2011 – Château Gazin Rocquencourt Blanc 2013.
On the menu:
3 ways of lamb and its stuffing,
Chateau Pichon-Comtesse de Lalande 2004 and Chateau Malartic-Lagravière – Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2000 red;
Cheeses, Chateau Margaux 1996;
Pineapple pavlova with lime, Château d’Yquem 2013.
The rest of the evening was marked by a private concert by the French-Israeli singer Yael Naim and a fireworks display.
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La fête de la fleur 2016
Jardin Public de Bordeaux
With decorations created for the occasion, the evening began with the famous induction ceremony. The Grand-Maître of the Commanderie du Bontemps, Emmanuel Cruse, inducted several new commanders in 2016, including the skilled sailor Michel Desjoyeaux.
In the presence of Alain Juppé, mayor of Bordeaux, the guests also included Régis Labeaume, mayor of Quebec, city twinned with Bordeaux.
Three wines were offered to launch the festivities: Château Brondelle white 2014, Château Myrat 2010 and Château Paloumey 2009.
The guests then enjoyed a dinner dreamed up by Vivien Durand, the Michelin-starred chef from the restaurant Le Prince Noir in Lormont. During this dinner the wines served were : Château La Louvière 2012 – Château Rauzan-Ségla 2006 – Château Branaire Ducru 2005 – Château Mouton Rothschild 1995 – Clos Haut Peyraguey 2009.
La fête de la fleur 2015
Château Montrose
La fête de la fleur 2014
Jardin Public de Bordeaux
The Fête de la Fleur was celebrated on Friday 27th June.
Organised by Commanderie du Bontemps Médoc et Graves, Sauternes et Barsac, the Fête de la Fleur this year was held in the Bordeaux Public Gardens.
The event also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the twinning of Bordeaux with Los Angeles, and many celebrities from the U.S. and Los Angeles, including 4th District Mayor Tom Labonge, attended.
La fête de la fleur 2013
Château Lagrange
On Thursday 20 June, Château Lagrange opened its doors to 1,500 wine professionals and wine lovers from all over the world to celebrate the traditional and exclusive Fête de la Fleur under the patronage of French film star Carole Bouquet. Also present were actors Anna Mouglalis and Michelle Yeoh, and French football star Christian Karambeu. Despite poor weather, the evening was also a beautiful closing dinner for the Vinexpo exhibition.
La fête de la fleur 2012
Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux
The Fête de la Fleur was held Friday, June 29 on the Quinconces in Bordeaux inaugural Bordeaux Wine Festival. Jean Reno, actor internationally renowned, man of generosity and talent, was the guest of honor of the event. Following the inductions, the dinner brought together wine professionals, journalists and international personalities around a menu created by Jean Luc ROCHA, the two-starred Chef Relais & Châteaux Cordeillan-Bages in Pauillac.
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La fête de la fleur 2011
Château Lascombes
Founded in 1949, Commanderie du Bontemps Médoc et Graves, Sauternes et Barsac, led by its Grand Master Emmanuel Cruse, chose Château Lascombes, flagship of the Margaux appellation area, as the venue for the Fête de la Fleur on 23rd June as the 16th Bordeaux Vinexpo exhibition was closing.
With more than 1,500 guests, the Fête de la Fleur has today become a major event in the calendar of wine connoisseurs all over the world, who gather to spend an exclusive evening together and share their passion for the great Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac wines. This world-renowned celebration has been honoured by many starred Chefs, cinema and music stars and international celebrities.
This year, wine professionals, international journalists and celebrities will enjoy a meal concocted by Eric Frechon, who has been Chef at the fine-dining restaurant of Hotel Le Bristol Paris since 1999. His reliably creative work and rigorous attention to detail has been instrumental in this restaurant’s membership of the exclusive club of the top 80 establishments in the world, having been awarded three Michelin stars in 2009.
Château Lascombes, a Margaux 1855 second grand cru classé, is run by Dominique Befve and has belonged to Colony Capital Group since 2001.