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The spirit of the Commanderie is defined by the determination of its members to serve the cause of Quality, come what may, to enhance the reputation of all Medoc and Graves, Sauternes and Barsac wines and more widely that of all Bordeaux wines.
The Commanderie organises a number of events which exert an impact that transcends the frontiers of France. In conjunction with the Grand Conseil de Bordeaux, which was set up on the Commanderie’s initiative to unite the many wine brotherhoods within the Bordeaux area, it maintains relationships with Commanderies de Bordeaux located all over the world. Such Commanderies have been set up in many countries to bring together prominent people, who share an interest in the Order’s wines.
“Everywhere and in the presence of whomever”, as the investiture ritual states, the Brotherhood represents, celebrates and defends not only wine but also the set of values which it holds dear: “friendship, cheerfulness and loyalty to our terroir”.
‘ The Commanderie brings together the principal players in the Bordeaux wine trade: winegrowers, brokers and merchants (négociants). ’
History
Heir to centuries-old traditions
Today’s Commanderie has inherited centuries-old traditions.
Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, a religious order founded a church at Benon, near Saint-Laurent Médoc, then a second one near Arcins.
Vine husbandry, winemaking, and trade quickly became the principal resources of these soldier-monks and peasants.
They not only took care of themselves, but also advised, assisted, and protected the winegrowers in the neighbouring villages of Margaux, Soussans, Avensan, and Moulis, thereby playing an important role in the life of the region.
1949
The present-day organisation of the Commanderie dates from just after the Second World War (1949), but has remained faithful to the spirit of its predecessors.
1959
In 1959, the Graves brotherhood merged with that of the Medoc to form a single Commanderie and in the same year, the Commanderie du Bontemps de Sauternes et Barsac was founded under our patronage.
2000
On 24th June 2000, the Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc et des Graves and the Commanderie du Bontemps de Sauternes et Barsac formed a single unit, representing winegrowers along the entire left bank of the Garonne River and Gironde Estuary.
Our emblems
The bontemps bowl and the ornamental clasp
The bontemps bowl
We are careful what we say about our illustrious forefather Jean–Odule Paulin d’Esquet, because unfortunately all we know of him was handed down by oral tradition.
He lived in the ninth century and is said to have invented the special wooden bowl, naturally known as a “desquet” in the Gascon language after its inventor, and a “bontemps” in French. Cellar masters use this bowl to beat the egg whites for fining the wine.
The ornamental clasp
This is the symbol of the Bontemps
Order with its initials encircling a “desquet” bowl.
It is worn on all the Commandeurs’ robes and is presented to all the Commandeurs d’Honneur
at the end of the investiture ceremony.
Our grand masters
Our grand masters since 1950
Order of Companions of the Bontemps Médoc
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Edouard Gasqueton
1950 - 1953
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Armand Achille-Fould
1953 - 1959
COMMANDERIE DU BONTEMPS DE MÉDOC ET DES GRAVES
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Armand Achille-Fould
1959 - 1969
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Henri Martin
1969 - 1991
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André Cazes
1992 - 1997
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Jean Michel Cazes
1997 - 2001
COMMANDERIE DU BONTEMPS DE SAUTERNES ET BARSAC
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Pierre de Bournazel
1959 - 1985
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Louis Ricard
1985 - 1993
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Nancy de Bournazel
1993 - 2000
COMMANDERIE DU BONTEMPS DE MÉDOC ET DES GRAVES, SAUTERNES ET BARSAC
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Jean-Michel Cazes
2001 - 2008
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Emmanuel Cruse
Depuis 2008
Investiture ceremonies
More than 200 new Commanders per year
Every year, the Commanderie du Bontemps welcomes into its ranks a significant number of new Commandeurs d’Honneur. These may be famous or totally unknown, but they are all great lovers of our wines and swear loyalty to them.
They must be sponsored by one or more established Commandeurs and after the investiture ceremony, they all become active ambassadors of Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac wines, as required in the “Declaration of Appointment”.
‘ Everywhere and in the presence of whomever ’
The Commanderie du Bontemps Book
History of the Commanderie from 1949 to the present, illustrated with photos of the most memorable Commanderie events and the famous Honorary Commandeurs.
‘‘ This book is a history of the Commanderie as told by those who, year after year, continue to perpetuate the traditions of generosity, conviviality, and intellectuel curiosity wich form the very fondation of our brotherhood. ’’
Emmanuel Cruse
Grand Maître of the Commanderie
25,00€ Tax included
Excluding shipping costs